About
Alva Myrdal, née Reimer, was a Swedish sociologist, diplomat, and politician. With her husband Gunnar Myrdal, she co-authored 'Crisis in the Population Question' (1934), a foundational work for the Swedish welfare state. She held senior positions at the UN and UNESCO, becoming the first woman in such roles. As ambassador to India (1955-1961), she later served in the Swedish Parliament and as a minister. A key figure in disarmament, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982.
* 1902-01-28 — † 1986-02-01
Major works
- Crisis in the Population Question (1934)essay
- Women's Two Roles: Home and Work (1956)essay
- The Game of Disarmament (1976)essay
- War, Weapons and Everyday Violence (1977)essay
Key milestones
- 1955Appointed Swedish ambassador to India, the first woman in such a post.
- 1962Elected to the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag).
- 1982Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on disarmament.
Themes
DisarmamentSocial policyGender equalityDiplomacyPeace
Sources: nobelprize.org · uu.se · britannica.com