'In our DNA' Iceland's president on the push for gender equality
The Guardian|August 08, 2024
Halla Tómasdóttir was just 11 years old when Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became Iceland's head of state and in the process the world's first democratically elected female president.
Miranda Bryant
'In our DNA' Iceland's president on the push for gender equality

This, she said, "planted a seed" that would influence her career as an entrepreneur and her view on female leadership, ultimately leading her to follow in Vigdís's footsteps to become the second woman in the role.

While she did not know then that she would run for office herself, growing up with a female president had a profound impact on her. "Ever since then she was a role model for me and all of us who thankfully grew up during her presidency of 16 years," Halla, who took office last week, said in an interview with the Guardian.

She was inspired by her approach to equality, nature, culture and international relations. "It planted a seed in me that influenced how I think about leadership," she said.

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