Who was the first female Secretary of State (anywhere in the world)?

merrijig

I can't think of any other country in the world besides the USA where a government position exists designated as secretary of state. I might stand corrected on that issue, but for the purpose of this question, I will provide an answer in respect of the USA. At a national level, the answer is Madeleine Albright (see the following link: "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_Albright") And of course just to complicate matters, there is a a designation at the state level as well and the first woman to fill that position apparently was Emma C Meharg, appointed in Texas in 1925 (see the following link: "http://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/history.shtml") Nov 17 12, 2:25 AM

author

I suppose US "Secretary of State" equals what other countries call a "foreign minister". I suppose there have been several women holding this position, one of the latest is Fauzia Yusuf Haji Adan in Somalia. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/08/somalia-first-female-foreign-minister Nov 17 12, 4:00 PM

author

Lene Espersen was the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Denmark 2010-11. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lene_Espersen Nov 17 12, 4:49 PM

author

Sweden has had several female foreign ministers, the first was Karin Söder (1976-78). http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karin_S%C3%B6der Nov 17 12, 4:52 PM