In the 1950s, Väänänen worked as a news reporter for the Swedish Agricultural Association.[3] In the 1960s, she worked part time at Kotiliesi magazine, and in 1969 she started working at Valio.[3]
In 1971, Väänänen was elected to the Centre Party's women's organisation.[3] She later became chairperson of the women's organisation.[1] In 1972, she became the Minister of Science and Culture in Kalevi Sorsa's government.[2][6] At the 1975 Finnish parliamentary election, Väänänen was elected as a representative for Uusimaa.[3] She received the most votes of any Centre Party female candidate in the election.[3] She became the Minister of Education in Martti Miettunen's cabinet.[3] That year, she gave Martti Simojoki, Archbishop of Turku, a petition with almost a million signatures advocating for the introduction of female priests.[4] Whilst Education Minister, Väänänen implemented the rollout of the Pirkkala handout, an experiment in standardised teaching materials.[7]
In 1982, Väänänen became the Minister of Social Affairs and Health in Kalevi Sorsa's cabinet. Whilst in the role, Väänänen supported child benefit payments, anti-alcohol policies,[3] and the increase of provision of elderly care, particularly care homes.[3][5] Her home care support bill was passed in 1985, and gave more provision for young children.[4] Väänänen left Parliament after choosing not to contest the 1991 Finnish parliamentary election.[3] She served for four parliamentary terms,[1] and was seen as a controversial politician.[8] She was nicknamed Viikate-Väänänen (Scythe Väänänen).[4]
Aside from politics, Väänänen was a board member of Yle from 1967 to 1991.[3] She also wrote a column for Maaseudun Tulevaisuudessa (The Rural Future) once a week for 35 years, under the pseudonym Heikintytär.[1][4] In 1994, she was awarded the title of ministerin, the first woman to be bestowed the title.[4]
