We often think that life follows a set plan: study hard, work, get married, and settle down. Many girls grow up believing that their dreams are limited, that they cannot achieve something bigger or be recognized beyond their immediate world. Yet, unplanned things can happen, and paths we never imagined can open before us. Women like Farah Rumy inspire us to dream bigger, to believe that dedication, hard work, and service can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.
Born on 28 December 1991 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Farah Rumy grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. Her father, Mohamed “Rumy” Mohideen, is an IT systems expert, and her mother, Izfiya Rumy, raised her alongside a sister and a brother. While her Sri Lankan family name is Mohideen, they adopted her father’s call name, Rumy, as the family surname, a small detail that would later become a recognizable name in Swiss politics.
Farah’s early education began at Bishop’s College, a private Anglican school in Colombo. At the age of six, in 1998, she moved with her family to Switzerland, settling in the city of Grenchen. Adjusting to a new country, language, and culture was the beginning of a journey that would require resilience and determination, qualities that would define her future.
After completing her compulsory schooling, Rumy followed a path of service, beginning with a nursing apprenticeship. She furthered her studies in healthcare, becoming a nursing expert and interventional cardiology specialist in a cardiac catheterization laboratory. Working on the frontlines of healthcare, she developed an intimate understanding of the challenges faced by patients and medical professionals alike.
Her career extended beyond hospitals. Rumy became a teacher at a vocational school, helping train future healthcare professionals, and emerged as a strong advocate for her peers as co-president of the nursing union in the Aargau–Solothurn section, fighting for better conditions and recognition for nursing staff. Her dedication to improving the healthcare system shows a commitment not just to patients, but to the people who care for them.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved a turning point for her. Witnessing the immense pressures on nurses and healthcare workers inspired her to take action beyond the hospital. In 2020, she joined the Social Democratic Party, recognizing the need for systemic changes in healthcare and social policy.
Her political career took off quickly. In 2021, Rumy was elected to the Cantonal Council of Solothurn, representing the Social Democratic Party, where she worked on issues close to her heart, including healthcare, social welfare, and equality.
That same year, she also became a municipal councilor for Grenchen, where she contributed to the Naturalization Commission, served as a board member of Spitex Grenchen, and joined the foundation board of the Rodania Foundation, which supports people with disabilities. She also served as co-president of SP Migrants of Solothurn, ensuring migrant voices were heard in local politics.
In 2023, a historic opportunity arose. After Franziska Roth was re-elected to the National Council and then won a seat in the Council of States, Farah Rumy, as the first alternate candidate, moved up to the Swiss National Council, resigning from the Cantonal Parliament at the end of November. This milestone made her the first person of Sri Lankan heritage to be elected to Switzerland’s Federal Assembly, a groundbreaking achievement celebrated by many, particularly within the Sri Lankan diaspora.
Since joining the National Council, Rumy has been a member of the Social Democratic parliamentary group. She represents the Social Democratic Party on the Foreign Affairs Committee and serves as an alternate member of the Immunity Committee. Her parliamentary work focuses on health policy, social policy, foreign policy, and equal opportunities. Drawing on her nursing background, she continues to advocate for improvements in the healthcare system and the welfare of nurses. On the international stage, she has submitted legislative initiatives related to peace and human rights, showing her commitment to both domestic and global issues.
Her political influence continues to rise. In December 2025, Rumy was elected Second Vice-President of the National Council, positioning her to potentially become President of the National Council in 2028, if re-elected in 2027. This achievement underscores the remarkable trajectory of a young woman who started life in Colombo and now stands at the forefront of Swiss federal politics.
Farah Rumy’s story is more than a tale of professional and political success, it is a testament to perseverance, vision, and service. From nursing wards to union leadership, from local governance to the Swiss Federal Assembly, she demonstrates that the boundaries we set for ourselves can be exceeded. For young girls and aspiring leaders everywhere, she is a living example that dreams are achievable, even in places we least expect.
Family sources have noted that Rumy plans to visit Sri Lanka early next year, a meaningful homecoming for a woman whose journey has inspired many. Her life reminds us that success is often unplanned, that courage and dedication can carve paths no one imagined, and that women can, and do, reshape the world.
