Swedish doctor Elly Reinolds has been named Swedish Woman of the Year 2025 by SWEA International, the global network for Swedish-speaking women abroad.
The announcement was made during an online ceremony, where nearly 6,000 SWEA members worldwide voted to recognize Reinolds for her humanitarian work and international impact.
A specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, Reinolds co-founded OperationAid in response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since its inception, the organization has delivered thousands of relief packages to vulnerable Ukrainian women and families and coordinated the donation of nearly a hundred ambulances from Sweden to war-torn areas. Some of these vehicles are operating close to the front lines, transporting wounded civilians.
Reinolds has also helped establish activity centers for children and families in Ukraine and launched initiatives to educate the civilian population in emergency preparedness. Her research on healthcare and civil readiness during armed conflict is conducted in cooperation with the Swedish Defence University.
In Sweden, she serves on the advisory council of the Folke Bernadotte Academy, the national agency for peace, security, and development, and is a strong advocate for Ukrainian women both in Sweden and abroad.
“I accept this award with deep gratitude and humility, but also with a renewed commitment to continue making a difference and to be a voice for those who have none,” says Reinolds.
Lotta Rigby Fors, President of SWEA International, highlighted Reinolds’ courage and dedication:
“SWEA is incredibly proud to honor Elly Reinolds as Swedish Woman of the Year. Through her work with OperationAid and her efforts in war-affected areas, she demonstrates extraordinary civil courage and a profound commitment to supporting those in need, particularly women and children.”
The award, first presented in 1989, is SWEA’s highest honorary recognition. It is given to a Swedish woman who has made a distinctive international contribution and who promotes interest in and curiosity about Sweden around the world.
The 2025 award ceremony will be held on 7 August in Stockholm during SWEA Sweden’s Summer Days event, formerly known as the Sweden Dinner (Sverigemiddagen).
Other finalists for the 2025 award included Carolina Dybeck Happe, EVP and COO at Microsoft; actress and author Josephine Bornebusch; Major General Lena Persson Herlitz; Olympic swimmer Sarah Sjöström; and rally champion Tina Thörner.
For more information, visit: Swedish Woman of the Year – SWEA International
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