Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state

Date: 17 Aug 1996
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state

History was made in Western Africa when, for the first time, a woman, Ms Ruth Sando Perry, was unanimously elected at a meeting of West African heads of state to become the third chair of Liberia's ruling council. Perry, victorious over two male contestants, became head of the transitional government, thereby making her Africa's first woman to act as head of state. Perry was mandated to execute the daunting task of leading her country from a devastating seven-year civil war, to peace under a sub-regional plan of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Although serving in a non-partisan capacity, Perry was a member of the National Democratic Party of Liberia. She was leader of Liberia from 3 September 1996 until 2 August 1997. Perry has since served on the board of a children’s hospital, been instrumental in the development of infrastructure in Liberia and has received numerous awards for her efforts in the advancement of women and for her national development endeavours.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Kituo Chakatiba, 'Ruth Sando Perry',from Eastern Africa Centre for Consitutional Development, [online] Available at: www.kituochakatiba.org, [Accessed: 8 August 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, August 10). Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089666

South African History Online (2012) 'Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state', South African History Online, 10 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089666 (Accessed: 1 October 2026).

South African History Online, Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089666, (accessed 1 October 2026).

"Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state." South African History Online, 10 Aug. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089666. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Ruth Perry is elected to lead Liberia, thus becoming Africa's first female head of state." South African History Online. August 10, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0089666.