Perry, Ruth (1939–)
Perry, Ruth (1939–)
Liberian politician. Name variations: Ruth Sando Perry. Born in Grand Cape Mount, Liberia, July 16, 1939, into a family of Vai Muslims; dau. of Marjon and Al-Haji Semila Fahnbulleh; m. McDonald Perry (circuit court judge and senator); children: 4 sons, 3 daughters.
The 1st female head of state in modern Africa, who served as interim president of her war-torn West African nation (Aug 1996–July 1997), 1st trained as a teacher at the Teachers College of the University of Liberia; taught elementary classes in hometown of Grand Cape Mount; when husband died, finished his term as senator; won a Senate seat representing United Party (UP, 1980); when UP officeholders and other opposition members boycotted the Senate to protest a fraudulent election, argued that "one cannot resolve problems by staying away" and became the lone member of the opposition in the chamber; when full-scale civil war broke out in Liberia (1989), returned home; named chair of Council of State by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, 1996), the 1st woman in contemporary Africa to become a head of state (1996); wielded little in the way of real power, but helped nudge Liberians toward national elections (1997).
See also Women in World History.