Michelle Bachelet

The Honorable Michelle Bachelet was elected President of Chile on two occasions (2006 – 2010 and 2014 – 2018). She was the first female president of Chile. She also served as Health Minister (2000-2002) as well as Chile’s and Latin America’s first female Defense Minister (2002 – 2004). During her presidential tenures, she promoted the rights of all but particularly those of the most vulnerable. Her many achievements include, education and tax reforms, the creation of the National Institute for Human Rights and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, establishment of the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, the adoption of quotas to increase women’s political participation, and the approval of Civil Union Act legislation, granting rights to same sex couples and thus, advancing LGBT  rights. She served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the first Director of UN Women.