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Women · By cause
A collection · 15 women · 12 countries

African women who led nations

Presidents, prime ministers, ministers, and parliamentarians. These women did not just enter politics; they ran it.

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Three women to meet first

Portrait of Ndaté Yalla Mbodj, Senegal
Colonial · Senegal · 1810–1860Ndaté Yalla MbodjThe last great queen of Waalo in northern Senegal, who governed, taxed and went to war against French expansion in the…
Portrait of Joyce Banda, MalawiContemporary
Joyce BandaMalawi · 1950–present
Portrait of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, LiberiaModern
Ellen Johnson SirleafLiberia · 1938–present
All 15

A to Z

Sorted by name
A
A
Abla Pokou Côte d'Ivoire · 1700–1760
Portrait of Ameenah Gurib-Fakim
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim Mauritius · 1959–present
E
Portrait of Elizabeth of Toro
Elizabeth of Toro Uganda · 1936–present
Portrait of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Liberia · 1938–present
Portrait of Empress Zewditu
Empress Zewditu Ethiopia · 1876–1930
J
Portrait of Joyce Banda
Joyce Banda Malawi · 1950–present
L
Portrait of Labotsibeni Gwamile Mdluli
Labotsibeni Gwamile Mdluli Eswatini · 1858–1925
N
Portrait of Ndaté Yalla Mbodj
Ndaté Yalla Mbodj Senegal · 1810–1860
Portrait of Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba
Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba Angola · 1583–1663
P
Portrait of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka South Africa · 1955–present
S
Portrait of Sahle-Work Zewde
Sahle-Work Zewde Ethiopia · 1950–present
Portrait of Samia Suluhu Hassan
Samia Suluhu Hassan Tanzania · 1960–present
Portrait of Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe
Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe Uganda · 1955–present
T
Portrait of Taytu Betul
Taytu Betul Ethiopia · 1851–1918
Y
Portrait of Yaa Asantewaa
Yaa Asantewaa Ghana · 1840–1921
Other causes
Women's rights47 women Education32 women Women's leadership28 women Human rights19 women Sovereignty & independence17 women Political rights15 women Anti-colonial activism14 women Democracy14 women
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