Maria Ulfah Santoso | |
|---|---|
 Santoso in 1947 | |
| 3rd Minister of Social Affairs | |
| In office 12 March 1946 – 26 June 1947 | |
| Prime Minister | Sutan Sjahrir |
| Preceded by | A.D. Tjokronegoro |
| Succeeded by | Soeparjo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1911 Serang, Dutch East Indies |
| Died | 15 April 1988 (aged 76) Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Spouses | R. Santoso Wirodihardjo
(m. 1938–1946)Soebadio Sastrosatomo
(m. 1964–1988) |
| Children | 1 (adopted) |
| Alma mater | Leiden University (Mr.) |
| Occupation |
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Maria Ulfah Soebadio Sastrosatomo (18 August 1911 – 15 April 1988), better known by her first married name Maria Ulfah Santoso, was an Indonesian politician and women's rights activist who served as Minister of Social Affairs under Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir. She was the first Indonesian woman to receive a degree in law as well as the first female Indonesian cabinet member. Santoso, the daughter of a politician, became interested in women's rights after seeing numerous injustices in her youth. Despite pressure to become a doctor, she graduated with a degree in law from Leiden University in 1933; while in the Netherlands she also became involved in the Indonesian nationalist movement.
Upon returning to the Dutch East Indies, Santoso began teaching and working towards marriage reform. She was a member of the Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence, and later became the social minister from March 1946 to June 1947. After her term, she continued to work with the government in various capacities. Chosen for the cabinet post in part for her emancipatory activities, Santoso paved the way for other female cabinet members, including S. K. Trimurti in 1947. She received several awards from the Indonesian government for her activities.