Martha Ramsay

Martha Gladys Ramsay (1896 1984) was a Baltic politician who served as the 9th President of Balta from 1958 to 1966, the first woman to hold that office.

As a member of the Senate from Estonia's 11th district, Ramsay served as the 7th Vice President of Balta from 1952 to 1958. She was the Leader of the Social Democratic Party from 1951 to 1958.

From 1946 to 1951, Ramsay served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Martin-Simpson ministry.

Elections to the Senate
Ramsay was first elected to the Senate of Balta on August 6, 1938, coming in second place. She represented Estonia's 11th district. Ramsay was re-elected in 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1956; a total of ten terms of out a possible eleven.

Minister of Foreign Affairs (1946-51)
On September 2, 1946, Senator Ramsay was appointed by President Richard Martin and Vice President Allan Simpson as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ramsay accepted the appointment and was sworn-in later that day.

On November 7, 1951 after being elected Leader of the Social Democrats, Ramsay submitted her resignation as Minister of Foreign Affairs to President Martin. Although there is nothing forbidding a party leader from simultaneously serving as a minister, Ramsay resigned in order to show her commitment to the SDP instead of Martin's DPP cabinet.

Leader of the Social Democratic Party (1951-58)
On October 31, 1951, incumbent SDP Leader Lee Watkins announced his intention to resign from the Senate on November 9. This was due to the recent death of his wife. The SDP organized a leadership election to take place on November 7.

Senator Ramsay launched her leadership campaign on November 2. On November 7, Ramsay was elected Leadder of the SDP, 54-29.

When Watkins' resignation became official on November 9, Ramsay immediately became the SDP Leader.