Janet Rosenberg Jagan was an American-born socialist politician who was the first woman President of Guyana from December 19, 1997, to August 11, 1999. She previously served as the first woman Prime Minister of Guyana from March 17, 1997, to December 19, 1997. Through a long politically active life she made a momentuous contribution in the shaping of Guyana's politics. This was all the more remarkable as she was a white woman championing a non-white liberation in a society grounded on the notion of white supremacy. She was awarded Guyana's highest national award, the Order of Excellence in 1993 and UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal for Women's Rights in 1998. 

October 20th, 1920 in Chicago  /  Died:   Mar 28th, 2009