Ethiopia Elects First Female President Sahle-Work Zewde

Ethiopia has a history of female leaders such as Queen Candace and Queen of Sheba so the elevation of Sahle-Work Zewde as President of Ethiopia is the continuation of female participation in politics and leadership.

Sahle-Work Zewde was born and raised in Addis Ababa. She studied Natural Sciences at the University of Montpellier in France. Her achievements can be attributed to her parents who were firm believers in education and wanted their children to excel in their educational endeavors. Her father was in the army and discipline was a part of her upbringing as well. After completing her degree Sahle-Work Zewde knew that to self-actualize as she had to go back to Ethiopia. When she returned to Ethiopia, she joined the Ministry of Education and eventually moving to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which became her land of promise where she flourished. She is married and has two sons.

Sahle-Work Zewde’s work history:

• Diplomat since 1989
• Special representative to the African Union and head of the U.N. Office to the African Union
• Director-General of the U.N. Office in Nairobi
• Ethiopia’s ambassador – France
• Ethiopia’s ambassador -Djibouti.
• She is fluent in Amharic, French and English

As President of Ethiopia, Sahle- Work Zewde’s duties will include appointing ambassadors, receiving foreign envoys and granting pardons.