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In Northern and Central America

Two ladies held the Presidency:

• Violeta Barrios in Nicaragua (1990-1997)
• and Mireya Moscoso in Panama (1999-2004).

Mrs. Barrios was Chamorro's widow, she stood up to Somoza - whose regime murdered her husband - and later to the Sandinistas. Mrs. Moscoso forged her political career on her husband's shade, Aryan Arnulfo a man 44 years older than she was.

Another two women were appointed as Prime Minister:

• Mary Eugenia Charles in the Dominican Republic (1980-1995)
• and Kim Campbell in Canada (1993).

Mrs. Charles, a descendant of slaves, was also the first lawyer of her country.
Mrs. Campbell was the first Minister of Defence of a country member of the NATO. She now presides over the International Forum of Women.