Rising Female Politicians
By Sarah Wildman
Photo Credit: A Jocard/AFP/Getty Image
SÉGOLÈNE ROYAL, 52, FRANCE
TODAY: Member of Assemblée Nationale (the French parliament)
TOMORROW: At press time, she was the Socialist Partys most serious contender in the race for the presidency.
BACKSTORY: Born in Senegal, Royal attended Ecole Nationale DAdministration, the training ground for French politicians. I am the clean break, she has said in reference to Frances aging political parties, and shes arguably the most stylish, sophisticated candidate the country has turned out in years.
FIGHTIN WORDS: When she pondered running for office, Royal didnt take kindly to comments lobbed by male colleagues like,Whos going to look after the children? (She has four with her partner; they never married. Vive la différence, sister.)



