Kirkpatrick, Jeane (1926–)

American diplomat, political scientist and scholar. Name variations: Mrs. Evron M. Kirkpatrick. Born Jeane Duane Jordan in Duncan, Oklahoma, Nov 19, 1926; dau. of Welcher F. Jordan (oil contractor) and Leona (Kile) Jordan; Stephens College, AA, 1946; Barnard College, AB, 1948; Columbia University, MA, 1950; attended Institut de Science Politique of University of Paris, 1952–53; Columbia University, PhD, 1967; m. Dr. Evron M. Kirkpatrick (political science professor), Feb 20, 1955 (died 1995); children: Douglas Jordan; John Evron; Stuart Alan.

The 1st woman US ambassador to UN, began career as assistant professor of political science at Trinity College (1962); joined faculty at Georgetown University (1967), becoming full professor (1973); also served intermittently as consultant to American Council of Learned Societies and to departments of State, Defense, and Health, Education, and Welfare (1955–72); contributed to a number of journals and edited The Strategy of Deception: A Study in World-Wide Communist Tactics (1963); also wrote Political Woman (1974) and The New Presidential Elite (1976); though then a Democrat, became politically active during antiwar movement (1960s), helping to found the Coalition for a Democratic Majority (1972), whose members, mostly writers and scholars, became known as "neoconservatives"; became a resident scholar of American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy (1977), a conservative think tank; wanting a stronger anti-Soviet stance, supported Reagan's presidential campaign (1980) and served on his interim foreign policy advisory board following his election; served as US Permanent Representative to UN (1980–85), while also a member of the Cabinet and National Security Council; was a member of President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board (1985–90) and Defense Policy Review Board (1985–93). Awarded Medal of Freedom.

See also Women in World History.