Women have always been fundamental actors for the development and growth of civilizations, despite the fact that until recently the true value of their actions began to be recognized. From there, the female role in different industries, such as aviation, the arts, literature, science, war, among others, has put great protagonists of history, such as women politicians, under the spotlight. To further bond with them, In this Supercurious article we want to tell you about who was the first female president.
More than 60 years ago, the answer to who was the first female president appeared
How to talk about important women in history without talking about who was the first female president! Well, if the first woman to vote shocked the world, after a constant and long struggle, for a woman to become president was unthinkable for a long time.
This 2023 marks 63 years since a political event happened that, without a doubt, would change the course of the world: Sirimavo Bandaranaike holds the post of prime minister in Ceylona country that is now known as Sri Lanka.
Thus, she was the first woman democratically elected as head of government, breaking down some of the barriers that women had to access this type of position. The woman was leader until 1965. Some time later, in 1970, he returned to the position, occupying it until 1977.
The life of a pioneer woman: who was Sirimavo Bandaranaike?
Bandaranaike grew up in an aristocratic family of present-day Sri Lanka.; family descended from the powerful minority of the Radala —royal caste. This led to his education and personal development being highly influenced by the political world: His father was an important legislator of the time, as well as being part of the State Council and the Senate.
However, her political career took course from her marriage to Salomon Bandaranaike, who would be assassinated in 1959 at the hands of a Buddhist monk who did not agree with the reforms that Salomon sought to establish on the island.
This was how a life marked, not only by politics, but also by tragedy, would lead her to become that long-awaited response to who was the first female president.
A tortuous but transformative journey: Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s rise to power
With the tragic murder of her husband, On July 21, 1960, Sirimavo is democratically elected as head of government of Sri Lankathus becoming the first female in the modern world to lead a nation.
Sirimavo also became the frontline leader of the Party for Freedom, founded by her husband a few years earlier. The weeping widow —as she was nicknamed— she defeated her constituents in the elections, obtaining 75 seats, and assumed the historic position.
However, the mandate that opened an answer to who was the first female president it ended after five years (1965). This after having faced an important period of protests from the Tamil minority, due to the fact that the woman allowed the continuation of nationalist policies proposed by her husband, such as the imposition of Sinhalese as the official language on the island.
But that was not all. In 1970 he triumphed again in the elections and returned to the ring in alliance with the communist parties of Sri Lanka and the Equal Society. Throughout his second term, he continued to implement nationalist policies such as the nationalization of the banks and major companies, the termination of ties with Britain, the approval of a new constitution, and the renaming of the island Sri Lanka. His tenure culminates in 1977.
2. A legacy that continues
In 1994, his daughter is elected as president and, in possession of his position, appoints Sirimavo as Prime Minister, a completely symbolic position at the time. Bandaranaike left his position for health reasons and, in 2000, died of a heart attack.
By way of conclusion, it is worth noting that the election of Sirimavo was consolidated as the first step on the path that women would travel from then on. After her passing through the government, Indira Gandhi was elected in India, Golda Meir in Israel, among many. Despite her controversial leadership, Sirima will always be an example of the power of women in the world and the need to strengthen the gender equality for a sustainable future.
Thus we come to the end of our article on who was the first female president. Before you go, we want you to tell us your opinions about it. You can do it right here, in our comments section. We will be delighted to hear from you!
Likewise, if you liked this article, do not miss this selection of feminist phrases and feminist movies, which demonstrate the best and the power of women. Also, if historical events are your thing, don’t miss this curious article about the first woman to wear pants, another political and aesthetic struggle of the female gender that marked history.