Women: Presidents And Prime Ministers In The 20th Century

body">IRELAND: Mary Robinson was elected Head of State
INTRODUCTION:of Ireland from 1990 to 1997. She was a forceful
From my perspective, I think that democracy iscampaigner for women´s rights in the world.The
synonymous of equality between women and men infruits of her efforts continue to flourish: On November
the civil society and government. Ironically, there are11, 1997, Mary McAleese was elected President.The
more women voters, but fewer women candidates.world recognized Ireland´s Mary robinson for
However, From my point of view I think that "Parityher fight against abuses of refuges.
Democracy" is the big difference betweenISRAEL: Golda Meir governed as Prime Minister from
democracies and dictatorships.I remembered that the1969 to 1974. She is remembered as one of the most
Taliban´s regime -the worst dictatorship in theimportant women in the Israeli history.During her
modern history- prohibited women from participating ingovernment, Israel and Egypt, Syria and Iraq went to
Afghanistan´s National Government.In 1990 Dawwar. After her death, Israel is the birthplace of
Aung San Suu Kyi, a pro-dremocracy activist, won theimportant women as Leah Rabin and Shulamith
elections in Myanmar (ex-Burma), but she wasKatznelson.
arrested and the results were cancelled abruptly by.
dictator Saw Maung.NEW ZEALAND: Jenny Shipley had an ephemeral
Certainly, international organizations reports that 10government. She became the NZ´s first female
democracies have the highest proportion of women inPrime Minister.In 1999 Helen Clark was elected Prime
its governmental structures: Sweden, Denmark, Finland,Minister of NZ. Historically, New Zealand is the
The Netherlands, Iceland, Germany, New Zealand,birthplace of the "Woman Suffrage".The
Mozambique, South Africa and Spain.Another example:country´s name in the local dialect means "Land
under the Administration of Bill Clinton, Madeleineof the Woman Suffrage".
Albright was the first female Secretary of State.NORWAY:Gro Harlem Brundtland served as Prime
Sri Lanka, formerly named Ceylan, is the home toMinister for 11 years. She has been described as a
Sirimavo Ratwate Dias Bandaranaike. She was often"great Prime Minister". She is equally admired as an
described as one of the most important females in theecologist and diplomatic.Under her leadership, Norway
history: Mrs Bandaranaike became World´s firstwas an example of human development in the world.
female Prime Minister. She influenced Prime MinisterPHILIPPINES:Corazon "Cory" Aquino was the fourth
from Janet Jagan to Gro Harlem Brundtland with herwomen in Asia to assume the position of President.
leadership for women´s rights and democracy.After her victory, Aquino said that among her political
Inspired by example of the "Women Revolution" in Sriprojects were the anti-poverty and human rights.She
Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangla Desh, Chandrikawas Benigno Aquino´s wife. She helped win
Kumaratunga, Bandaraike´s daughter, wasmore representation for women in the Parliament. It
elected Head of State in 1994.Her government waswas under her government that full democratization
very similar that of her mother.began.
Certainly, there were fewer governments bySRI LANKA: Sririmavo Bandaraike was the first
women´s leaders as Violeta Barrios dewoman who became Prime Minister in the history.
Chamorro, who has fought for the democracy andHistorically, she has been the first woman with real
women´s rights in Nicaragua, one of the mostpower in the 20th Century. Under her government, the
poorest countries in Latin America.Island, an ex- British colony, became a democratic
Finally I would like to finish my article with my favouriterepublic. Mrs Bandaranaike had taken a prominent role
personal motto: "The future is for those people whoin national affairs during the government of her
believe in the beauty of their dreams", by Annadaughter, President Chandrika Kumaratunga
Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt, who was First Lady ofBandaranaike (1994-2000).
the United States between 1933 and 1945.UNITED KINGDOM: Margaret Hilda Roberts Thatcher,
ARGENTINA: In 1974 Maria Estela Martinez de Peron,best known worldwide as the "Iron Lady", was Prime
best known as "Isabel Peron", became the firstMinister from 1979 to 1990. She was the most
woman President in the modern history.She is thepowerful woman in the industrialized world.Mrs
widow of former President Juan Domingo PeronThatcher does not herself as a feminist. Thatcher was
(1946-1955 and 1973-1974). After his death in 1974,reelected Prime Minister in the 1980s and she was an
Juan Domingo Peron was replaced by Vicepresidentactive anti-communist leader.Her economical philosophy
Isabel Peron. On March, 1976, after 2 years in power,provided a model for many countries as Hungary,
she was ousted in a military coup led by Jorge RafaelCzech Republic, Mauritius, Botswana, El Salvador, Chile
Videla. She was forced into exile.and Cyprus. Under her leadership, the UK´s
BANGLADESH: The country, an ex-British colony, haseconomy witnessed the most rapid growth in the
had two women in the national power. Begum Khaleda1980s.Ironically, she has not made campaigns for
Zia was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996. Khaledawomen´s rights, but she is an advocate for the
was an advocate for the environment.She escapedecology.Europe has produced many leaders, but none
assassination in 1995. However, she was reelectedas Margaret Thatcher...
without opposition, but Khaleda Zia was succedded byUNITED STATES:In 1996 Maria Jana Korbelova or
other woman: Sheik Hassina Wajed, anti-governmentalMarie Hana Korbel, best known as Madeleine Albright,
activist. Sheik Hassina Wajed was as unpopularity asmade history when she was elected Secretary of
her predecessor.Bangladesh was one of the fewState of the United States.She was born in Czech
states in the world whose government has beenRepublic, former Czechoslovakia, but Madeleine
successively held by women.became American citizen in the 1950s.She gained
BOLIVIA:Lydia Gueiler Tejada, former accountant,international recognition for her efforts on behalf of
served as interim President of Bolivia from 16human rights and democracy. She was one of the
November 1979 to 17 July 1980.She was electedfew American leaders to balance good relations with
President by Parliament. Mrs Gueiler Tejada wasNorth Korea...
overthrown by General Luis Garcia Meza Tejada, whoDid you know that an American woman was Head of
was one of the worst dictators in the Latin AmericanState?
history.Janet Jagan became President of Guyana, an
CANADA:Dame Kimberley Campbell was ephemeralex-British colony and South American country.Mrs
Prime Minister from 25 June 1993 to November 1993.Jagan, a naturalized Guyanan citizen who was born in
But she was not the only one in power. Jeanne SauceChicago, Illinois, came to power from 19 December
was Governor General from 1984 to 1989.Furthermore,1997 to 11 August 1999.
Adrienne Clarkson was elected also GG in 1999.REFERENCES
Currently, Michaelle Jean, was born in Haiti, has been-ENCICLOPEDIA UNIVERSAL ILUSTRADA
elected GG in 2005.EUROPEO-AMERICANO SUPLEMENTO ANUAL
DOMINICA: Dominica, a small country in the Caribbean,1934-2006, ESPASA-CALPE, BARCELONA
has been an independent State since 1978. Mary2-GUEVARA ONOFRE, ALEJANDRO.
Eugenia Charles governed from 1980 to 1995. DuringENCICLOPEDIA MUNDOTOTAL 1999, SAN
her government Dominica had one of the most highestMARCOS, LIMA, 1998.
rate of human development in Latin America.In 1983,3---------------------- MUJER Y PODER, CECOSAMI,
Mary Eugenia Charles, an admirer of GreatLIMA, 2001
Britain´s Margaret Thatcher, established4---------------------- NORTEAMERICANAS
diplomatic relations with Republic of China (ROC) orUNIVERSALES, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2002
Taiwan. She was apparently supported by the United5---------------------- HISTORIA DE LA MUJER DE LOS
States and Taiwan for its anti-communism.ESTADOS UNIDOS, CECOSAMI, LIMA, 2002
ICELAND:Vidis Finnbogadottir was Head of State of6-INFORME SOBRE DESARROLLO HUMANO 1995:
Iceland from 1980 to 1996.Vigdis was a key interlocutorGENERO Y DESARROLLO HUMANO, PNUD,
between the Soviet Bloc and the United States. SheNUEVA YORK, 1995
was the first woman democratically elected President7-NOTES FOR SPEAKERS ONTHE
in the world.ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, NACIONES UNIDAS,
INDIA: Indira Ghandi was one of the greatest politiciansNUEVA YORK, 1995
of the history. She served as Prime Minister of India8-THE WOMEN'S BOOK WORLD RECORDS AND
from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984. In the 1970sACHIEVEMENTS, LOUIS DECKER O'NEILL-ANCHOR
her government was marked by corruption, humanBOOKS, ANCHOR PRESS, 1979
rights abuses and pro-Soviet politics. In 1984, Mrs9-THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS
Gandhi was assassinated by her bodyguards. During1980-2000, WORLD ALMANAC BOOKS, NEW
her government, she was an anti-Apartheid leader.JERSEY
Many people loved her and others hated her. Currently,10-UGLOW, JENNIFER.
she is a symbol of the India.