On Sunday 10 May 2026, President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb attended the national Mother’s Day celebration in Helsinki. The event was organised by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
At the ceremony, held at the House of the Estates, decorations conferred by the President of the Republic were presented to a total of 38 mothers. The distinction, Medal First Class with Gold Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, is awarded annually to mothers for their exemplary contributions to the upbringing of children and young people.
The mothers honoured on Mother’s Day have carried out significant work in raising children, some of them also beyond their own families. Many of the decorated mothers also engage in voluntary work to promote the well-being of children and young people, for example through organisations and parishes. The awarded mothers come from a wide range of backgrounds and life situations. Among them are also mothers who were born abroad and have moved to Finland. The oldest mother awarded this year is 91 years old and the youngest is 44.
The Government’s greeting at the national Mother’s Day celebration was delivered by the Minister of Social Security, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, and the keynote speech was given by Mirjam Kalland, Chair of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare.
The President of the Republic has awarded decorations to Finnish mothers since 1946. Last year, for the first time, the President of the Republic recognised fathers who have distinguished themselves in raising children, based on the same principles applied to mothers. The decorations were presented at the national Father’s Day celebration in Helsinki on 9 November 2025.
