Ilhan Omar is a Somali-born American lawmaker who currently serves as a member of the United States’ House of Representative for Minnesota’s District 5, having been elected in 2018. In 2016, she served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 60B district, where she became the first naturalized African, and one of the first two Muslim women to occupy the position.

She started her career in 2006 as a Community Nutrition Educator with the University of Minnesota for three years before moving on to the Minnesota Department of Education as the Coordinator for child nutrition campaign. At about the same time, she made a bold dabble into politics, working with Kari Dziedzic as Campaign Manager for his senatorial re-election. In 2015, she fully launched into advocacy, working as the Director of Policy Initiatives of the Women Organizing Women Network, through which she advocated the inclusion of East African women in political leadership.

She went into elective politics in 2016, when she contested and won the Minnesota House of Representatives election under the platform of Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL). Her tenure in the state legislature was defined by the spearheading and enactment of different bills, particularly for advancing the standard of living in the state. Her achievements delivered her political victory when she went a step further to contest a seat in the US House of Representatives in 2018. Since then, she has continued to promote people-friendly laws including the free tuition for indigent college students, access sound health care for all, and cancelation of students’ meal debts incurred by low low-income earning families in the US.

She also advocates the promotion of human rights in the crisis-torn Yemen through her public criticisms of Saudi-Arabia’s intervention in the state. She is a world-class advocate with leadership that demonstrates clear concerns for better welfare for humanity; Ilhan Omar is our woman of the week.

Sources

1. O’Grady, Siobhán (2018). Trump demonized Somali refugees in Minnesota. One of them just won a seat in Congress. The Washington Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20190313005712/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/11/07/trump-demonized-somali-refugees-minnesota-one-them-just-won-seat-congress/?utm_term=.9bb3be948c54
2. Armin Rosen. (2018). https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/263826/as-keith-ellison-leaves-congress-one-likely-replacement-faces-criticism-for-anti-israel-views
3. Ilhan’s Story (n.d.). https://web.archive.org/web/20161106032533/https://www.ilhanomar.com/bio
4. Ryan Faircloth. (2016). Debate spotlights veteran, newcomers. Minnesota Day. https://www.mndaily.cOm/article/2016/08/debate-spotlights-veteran-newcomers
5. Ola Salem (2018). Saudi Arabia Declares War on America’s Muslim Congresswomen. Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/12/11/saudi-arabia-declares-war-on-americas-muslim-congresswomen/

Known as the most powerful woman in the United States, Nancy Pelosi is the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the first woman to ever clinch the position in the country’s history. She had previously served in several leadership capacities for the government, including her eight-year stint as the House Minority Leader between 2011 and 2019; Leader of the House Democratic Caucus in 2003; and House Minority Whip between 2002 and 2003.

Pelosi’s interest in politics first revealed itself, when in 1969 she started the Democratic Party Club in her home as a full-time housewife. She went further to become the Chair of the California Democratic Party and rose fast to join the league of White House leaders. Her devotion to family, however, refrained her from venturing into elective offices until her youngest child was rounding off high school. Then, she contested and won as a member of the House of Representative, first for District 5 of California between 1987 and 1993, second for District 8 of the same constituency from 1993 to 2013, and third for district twelve of California from 2013 to present. Following her effective performance in the House, her colleagues elected her as House Democratic Whip in 2001 and House Democratic Leader in 2002, making her the first woman to hold both positions.

 In her position as the House Speaker from 2007 to 2011, she fought to promote the politics of inclusion in US, superintending processes that ushered in the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the law that entrench the freedom of women and all workers to fight against pay discrimination; spearheading the signing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, an act that reduced the cost in health care delivery; leading the Congress to pass the strong Wall Street reforms. During her tenure as the Speaker, the 111^th Congress was dubbed ‘one of the most productive Congress in history’, leading the enactment of several laws that promoted the economic development of the state, in the form of investment, empowerment of small and medium enterprises, and innovations.

Pelosi has been described by the U.S. News as ‘a formidable force within the Democratic Party’, as she has raised more money for the party as a party leader than any other Congressional Democrat–about $100 million.

An Alumnus of Trinity College, Washington where she studied Political Science, Pelosi holds an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Mount Holyoke College in 2018. She has a number of awards to her profile including the Foremother Award she received from the National Center for Health Research in 2016, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2010, she made it to Forbes list as the 11^th most powerful woman in the world.

Singled out for her daring leadership traits, her boldness and ability to speak for the voiceless, Nancy Pelosi is our Woman of the Week.

Sources:

Walt Hickey (2019). The Stunning Life and Career of Nancy Pelosi. Business Insider. https://www.pulse.ng/bi/politics/the-stunning-life-and-career-of-nancy-pelosi/lsqg07g Accessed 02 September 2019.

National Women Hall of Fame. Nancy Pelosi. https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/nancy-pelosi/ Accessed 02 September 2019.

Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (2019). Nancy Pelosi, Icon of Female Power, Will Reclaim Role as Speaker and Seal a Place in History”. The New York Times. Accessed 02 September, 2019.

Nancy Pelosi Fast Facts”. CNN. March 21, 2019. Accessed 02 September 2019.

U.S. News (2006). “10 facts about Nancy Pelosi” Accessed 02 September 2019. https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2006/11/07/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-nancy-pelosi

Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the fourth prime minister of Namibia, the first woman to serve in this position.  She first came into the political scene at the young age of 27 years when in 1995 she was appointed the Director-General of the National Planning Commission of Namibia. After serving out two tenures in this position, she joined SWAPO’s politburo in 2002 and was appointed Minister of Finance in 2003.  Her tenure at the Ministry of Finance was applauded for the ambitious fiscal targets set and the discipline which successfully limited government spending and maximizing revenues. Thus, she became the first-ever to present a Budget Surplus in 2006/07 and 2007/08.

She bagged a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, USA, after which she returned to Namibia. Her career in the public service started in 1994 when she started working as a Desk Officer in the Office of the President, under the presidency of Sam Nujoma. She learnt the ropes so quickly, that within a few months, she became qualified for and was appointed the Director-General of the National Planning Commission. Her having to take over Namibia’s purse when revenues were down as a result of a decline in taxes from diamonds and other mining sectors, proved to be just the right scenario she needed to put her intellectual might to play, and this she did.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also holds a master’s degree in Financial Economics and an honorary doctorate in Public Finance. An epitome of exceptional leadership and selfless service, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is our Woman of the Week.

Sources:

“Profile: Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.” New Era Live, https://neweralive.na/posts/profile-saara-kuugongelwa-amadhila. Accessed 26 August 2019.

“Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.” World Economic Forum, https://www.weforum.org/people/saara-kuugongelwa-amadhila. Accessed 26 August 2019.

“The Prime Minister of Republic of Namibia.” Republic of Namibia, Office of the Prime Minister, http://www.opm.gov.na/prime-minister. Accessed 26 August 2019.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is the Executive Director of UN Women. She has formerly served as Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008 where she managed programmes targeted at combatting poverty and ensuring that the benefits of a growing economy reach the poor, particularly women. Mlambo-Ngcuka was actively involved in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa.

Prior to her appointment as Deputy President, Mlambo-Ngcuka served as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (DTI) of South Africa from 1996-1999; Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology from February to April 2004; Minister of Minerals and Energy from 1999-2005. In 1994 when South Africa had its first democratic government, she became a Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee, a position she voluntarily gave up in 1996.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Education (BA) from the National University of Lesotho (1980) and a Master’s of Philosophy in Educational Planning and Policy from the University of Cape Town (2003). She studied Gender Policy and Planning Development at the Planning Unit of the University College of London, and in 2013, she obtained a PhD in education and technology from the University of Warwick. In 2014, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

Mlambo-Ngcuka began her career as a teacher and has gained international experience as a coordinator at the World YWCA in Geneva, where she established a global programme for young women. She founded Umlambo Foundation, an organisation that focuses on leadership and education. She is a longtime champion of women’s rights and is affiliated with several organisations working to promote education, women’s empowerment and gender equality.

In July 2013, she was appointed Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and sworn into office as Executive Director of UN Women in August 2013. She brought to this position, a wealth of experience and expertise which she had garnered from a career devoted to human rights issues as well as equality and social justice.

In her letter to girls on International Day of The Girl Child 2018, Mlambo-Ngcuka had said:

“We are working to shift the burden of shame to those who commit the abuse, and to stop the stigmatization and silencing of the survivor. Survivors must be at the centre of any response; and their experiences must be listened to and acted on to end the culture of impunity.”

In April 2019, Mlambo-Ngcuka received the Cannes LionHeart Award, an honorary award given to individuals or organisations that have ‘harnessed their position to make a significant and positive difference to the world around us, with particular reference to those who work with brands and the advertising community’. The award was given in recognition of the work she had done in championing and advocating for women and women’s rights, human rights, and social justice throughout the world, as well as her leadership of The Unstereotype Alliance, an initiative that brings industry leaders together, setting aside competition and uniting for a common cause. The initiative was convened by UN Women to address gender bias.

For a woman to reach the peak of her career may be very difficult in our world today, but Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka’s career life has proven that this is possible despite obstacles that women face in climbing different ladders in their careers. We celebrate Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; she is our Woman of the Week.

Sources:

“A letter to girls from Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, on International Day of the Girl Child.” UN Women, Wed. 14 August 2019, https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2018/10/statement-ed-phumzile-day-of-the-girl

“Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.” UN Women, Thur. 11 July 2019, http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/directorate/executive-director/ed-bio

“Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.” African Leadership Academy, Thur. 11 July 2019, http://www.africanleadershipacademy.org/staffulty/global-advisory-council/phumzile-mlambo-ngcuka-2/

“Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka receives prestigious women’s rights award.” IOL, Thur. 11 July 2019, https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/phumzile-mlambo-ngcuka-receives-prestigious-womens-rights-award-22189343

“Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.” Wikipedia, Thur. 11 July 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phumzile_Mlambo-Ngcuka

“Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.” World Bank Live, Thur. 11 July 2019, https://live.worldbank.org/experts/phumzile-mlambo-ngcuka

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the former President of Liberia (2006-2018), and first female African head of state.

She is the recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize alongside two women’s rights campaigners, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen ‘for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work’. Sirleaf was lauded for her contribution to ‘securing peace in Liberia, to promoting economic and social development, and to strengthening the position of women.’ During her time as President, she grappled with the glaring challenges of building a country that had been ravaged by civil war, with an economy crippled by huge debts. In her unique leadership style, she sought the negotiation of settlements and lifted the sanctions restricting economic growth. Liberia also witnessed a massive revamping of major infrastructure during Sirleaf’s time as president. By executive order, she established a right to free, universal primary education, including securing a new national university. She was also seen as a strong advocate of equal rights for women.

Even though her government was criticised for cronyism and corruption, and the poor handling of the Ebola outbreak of 2014, Sirleaf continues to receive credit for her leadership, including her stepping aside after two full terms in office to allow a smooth transition in Liberia’s democratic process, with the country recording its first peaceful and democratic transition of power in 73 years. A month later, in February 2014, she was awarded the highly prestigious Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, an award set aside for democratically-elected African leaders who willingly handover power after completing their constitutionally allowed tenures.

Sirleaf is a ‘history-maker’, being the first woman to dismantle the patriarchal seat of power in Liberia. In May 2019 at the 72nd World Health Assembly, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom announced the appointment of Sirleaf as Goodwill Ambassador for the health workforce, describing her as a ‘health workforce champion, a voice for freedom and an advocate for health for all.’

Described by Forbes as the ‘83rd most powerful woman in the world’ in 2016, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is our Woman of the Week because she is a representation of leadership, democracy, and gender equality.

Sources:

Academy of Achievers. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.” Tue. 09 July 2019, https://www.achievement.org/achiever/ellen-johnson-sirleaf/

BBC News. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: The legacy of Africa’s first elected female president.” Tue. 09 July 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42748769

Forbes. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.” Tue. 09 July 2019, https://www.forbes.com/profile/ellen-johnson-sirleaf/#52eeaddd44fb

The Nobel Prize. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.” Tue. 09 July 2019, https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2011/johnson_sirleaf/lecture/

The Elders. “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.” Tue. 09 July 2019, https://www.theelders.org/profile/ellen-johnson-sirleaf

WHO. “Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Workforce.” Tue. 09 July 2019, https://www.who.int/hrh/news/2019/EJS_good-will-ambassador-hwf/en/

Amina Mohamed is a Kenyan lawyer, diplomat and politician. Former Cabinet Secretary (Minister) for Education, Mohamed has been in public service since 1985. She is the current Cabinet Secretary for Sports in Kenya, having formerly served as the Cabinet Secretary (Minister) for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the first woman to hold this position in Kenya. Her work as the Minister for Foreign Affairs which raised Kenya’s international profile spiked Foreign Direct Investment in the country by 400%.

Mohamed achieved many other firsts in her illustrious career. She was the first African to chair the World Trade Organization’s General Council’s global trade round at the 10th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi. She was also the first woman to chair the governing General Council of the World Trade Organization, the Dispute Settlement Body, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime.

Mohamed graduated with an LLM in International Law from Kiev State University, Ukraine. She also has a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) in International Relations from the University of Oxford. She was the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme at Nairobi. She was also the Permanent Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs and former Ambassador of Kenya to the United Nations at Geneva.

We celebrate Amina Mohamed today as our Woman of the Week for her audacity in public service at both local and international levels, and for doing so quite admirably.

Sources:

“Ambassador Amina Mohamed.” HuffPost, Mon. 08 July 2019, https://www.huffpost.com/author/ambassador-amina-mohamed

“Ambassador (Dr.) Amina Mohamed.” International Growth Centre, Mon. 08 July 2019, https://www.theigc.org/person/ambassador-dr-amina-mohamed/

“Amina Mohamed.”Wikipedia, Mon. 08 July 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amina_Mohamed

A graduate of Communications Studies from the University of Waikato (2001), Ardern has been globally recognised and praised for the leadership skills she displayed in response to the mass shootings in two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, 15 March 2019. The attacks considered the worst in the history of New Zealand, left a total of 50 people dead. Apart from visiting the Muslim community in Christchurch wearing a headscarf, a really thoughtful symbolic gesture of empathy with the grieving community, Ardern also pledged to cover the funeral costs of the victims of the attacks as well as offer financial assistance to their families. Six days after the attacks, Ardern banned the sale of all military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles and announced plans to tighten the country’s gun laws. In April 2019, swiftly matching word with action, lawmakers voted to amend New Zealand’s gun laws, barely one month after the attacks.

Ardern is passionate about tackling child poverty and improving the wellbeing of New Zealanders. In May 2019, New Zealand released its ‘wellbeing’ budget focusing on addressing mental health, indigenous welfare, and child poverty. The prime minister made it clear that the budget put people before economic indicators.

The 29th world’s most powerful woman in 2018, according to Forbes, Jacinda Ardern is our Woman of the Week because of the decisiveness of her style of administration and her sensitivity toward the problems of the weaker ones in her country.

Sources:

“Her ‘performance has been extraordinary’: Jacinda Ardern lauded for her response to New Zealand mosque attacks.” The Lily News. Thur. 04 July 2019, https://www.thelily.com/her-performance-has-been-extraordinary-jacinda-ardern-lauded-for-her-response-to-new-zealand-mosque-attacks/

“Jacinda Ardern unveils New Zealand’s ‘wellbeing’ budget.” Al Jazeera. Thur. 04 July 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/ardern-unveils-zealand-wellbeing-budget-190530062646522.html

“Jacinda Ardern.”  Encyclopaedia Britannica. Thur. 04 July 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacinda-Ardern

“Jacinda Ardern.”  Forbes. Thur. 04 July 2019, https://www.forbes.com/profile/jacinda-ardern/#1497afa1374d

“Jacinda Ardern.” Wikipedia.  Thur. 04 July 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacinda_Ardern

“New Zealand votes to amend gun laws after Christchurch attack.” Reuters.  Thur. 04 July 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-newzealand-shooting-parliament/new-zealand-votes-to-amend-gun-laws-after-christchurch-attack-idUSKCN1RM0VX

Since she became the prime minister, Bangladesh has experienced rapid economic growth and development. The country is almost self-sufficient in food production and has attained a level of life expectancy that is even higher than that of its big neighbour, India.

Mentioned by Forbes as the 26th most powerful woman in the world in 2018, Hasina has been credited with providing aid to Rohingya Muslim refugees that fled Myanmar.

Sheikh Hasina Wajed is our Woman of the Week because she represents leadership, service, and development.

Sources:

Al Jazeera. Profile: Who is Sheikh Hasina? Wed. 08 May 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/profile-sheikh-hasina-181230200747512.html

Forbes. Power Women 2018, Wed. 08 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/profile/sheikh-hasina-wajed/#5b59152e7965

A seasoned diplomat, prior to her election as President, she was the special representative of the United Nations’ Secretary-General and at the same time the Head of the United Nations office to the African Union. She also served as Ethiopia’s ambassador to different countries including France, Senegal, and Djibouti.

Sahle-Work was also the head of the UN office to Kenya. Even though (according to Ethiopian law) her powers as the president are ceremonial, her appointment raises hope for women’s representation and gender equality in politics in Ethiopia, Africa, and beyond.

Sahle-Work Zewde is our Woman of the Week because she represents change, hope, a voice for women, and gender equality.

Sources:

Al Jazeera. Who is Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first female president? Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/sahle-work-zewde-ethiopia-female-president-181027134726828.html

Al Jazeera. Sahle-Work Zewde named Ethiopia’s first female president, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/sahle-work-zewde-named-ethiopia-woman-president-181025084046138.html

Forbes. Power Women 2018, Tue. 07 May 2019, https://www.forbes.com/profile/sahle-work-zewde/#6d0ac70c4a31

Before that time, she was France’s Minister for Foreign Trade from 2005-2007. In 2018, Christine was named the 3rd most powerful woman by Forbes. Her role in providing financial guidance to the 189 member countries of the IMF has been noteworthy.
Christine Lagarde is our Woman of the Week because she represents leadership and service.

Sources:

Encyclopaedia Britannica. Christine Lagarde: French Lawyer and Politician, Mon 25 Feb. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christine-Lagarde
Forbes. Power Women 2018, Mon 25 Feb. 2019,
https://www.forbes.com/profile/christine-lagarde/#27ece7bc2170
IMF Blog. Christine Lagarde, Mon 25 Feb. 2019, https://blogs.imf.org/bloggers/christine-lagarde/
International Monetary Fund. Christine Lagarde, Mon 25 Feb. 2019,
https://www.imf.org/external/np/omd/bios/cl.htm