Women Presidents and Prime Ministers

Did you know? North America has only had two female Prime Ministers, Kim Campbell of Canada for four months and Aleqa Hammond of Greenland for one year. Compared to mmale politicians who are usually lawyers, women leaders come from very diverse backgrounds, they are: accountant, activists, artists, biologists, chemists, economists, doctors, engineers, journalists, lawyers, stewardesses, soccer moms, teachers, dancers and even guerrilla fighters. Africa has a reputation of not having many women Presidents and Prime Ministers, but has actually has had 15. Europe and Asia lead the way with 44 and 24 leaders each. Three Native American tribes have had women chiefs in the modern age – the Cherokee, the Seminole and the Nottoway. Many women leaders face severe abuse including an inordinate amount of jail, injury, torture and assassination. The issues almost all women leaders champion are, in order, the economy, the protection of women, peace building and national reconciliation, protection of children and schools, protection of the environment and health care. Five women have recently led their nations in their 30s. Most old and established democracies’ Constitutions, amendments and laws were written by men only with no input from women at all. In the past 16 years, 40 nations have recently passed women’s mandate laws that require quotas for women as high as 30% of the national legislature! At least 108 women who broken this ultimate glass ceiling. 80 years ago, the possibility of a woman leading a country was unheard of, except for royalty. But in the past few decades, from Greenland to Mozambique, from South Korea to Chile, women are leading Nations the world over. The amazing women featured in Women Presidents and Prime Ministers are from all backgrounds and each brings her own talents and perspectives to her unique leadership story. I have profiled each of these women, plus a handful of women who have international stature, with a brief biography, a quote, her struggles, her accomplishments and a photo or two. This book is meant to peak your interest to learn more about your favorite women leaders. But it is also meant to inspire you to roll up your sleeves, run for office or help women leaders get elected.