Liberia, the country founded by African-American slaves, has elected its first woman president. Barring a successful bid to decertify the election by the former soccer star who opposed Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (unlikely since her lead is apparently "insurmountable,") Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf will take her place as the first female head of state in Africa since Guinea-Bissau elevated a woman to chair of the National People's Assembly for all of two days in 1984 (Burundi had a female "acting president" for about six months in 1993-94). Good for her, and what a great day for the women of Africa, who can always use a psychic lift. Now, here's a list of other countries have had women heads of state (not counting queens, so we'll also have to nix New York City... sorry, Mr. Bloomberg...):
Presidents:
- Mongolia
- China
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Iceland
- Malta
- San Marino (several)
- Guinea Bissau
- Philippines (2)
- Haiti
- Germany
- Nicaragua
- Ireland (2)
- Sri Lanka
- Guyana
- Swizerland
- Latvia
- Panama
- Finland
Prime Ministers: - United Kingdom
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka (at least twice)
- Israel
- Central African Republic
- Portugal
- Dominica
- Norway
- Yugoslavia
- Lithuania
- Bangladesh
- France
- Poland
- Canada
- Turkey
- Burundi
- Rwanda
- Bulgaria
- Haiti
- Guyana
- New Zealand
- Mongolia
- Senegal
- South Korea
- Finland
- Peru
- Mozanbique
- Macedonia
- Ukraine
Neither: Yes, there are others, but it's still interesting ... Here's the complete list. Tags: women, presidents
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