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Rising Female Politicians

By Sarah Wildman

Women Who Rule The World

Photo Credit: A Jocard/AFP/Getty Image

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SÉGOLÈNE ROYAL, 52, FRANCE

TODAY: Member of Assemblée Nationale (the French parliament)

TOMORROW: At press time, she was the Socialist Party’s most serious contender in the race for the presidency.

BACKSTORY: Born in Senegal, Royal attended Ecole Nationale D’Administration, the training ground for French politicians. “I am the clean break,” she has said in reference to France’s aging political parties, and she’s arguably the most stylish, sophisticated candidate the country has turned out in years.

FIGHTIN’ WORDS: When she pondered running for office, Royal didn’t take kindly to comments lobbed by male colleagues like,“Who’s going to look after the children?” (She has four with her partner; they never married. Vive la différence, sister.)


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