female leaders

Iranian woman at desk (State Dept.)

Iranian women: Before and after Islamic Revolution [video]

Meet a few of the remarkable women who were thriving in Iran before Islamic fundamentalists overthrew Iran’s government in 1979.
Melania Trump and Cindy Arlette Contreras standing among women (© Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Survivor turned advocate: Peruvian seeks justice for women

Arlette Contreras Bautista is leading a grassroots movement across Peru and the region against domestic violence and other injustices against women.
Woman putting 'Open' sign in window (© Shutterstock)

An uptick in hiring by women employers

Women-owned businesses with employees are hiring at increasing rates, recent data released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows.
Astronauts exiting International Space Station (© NASA/AP Images)

NASA women astronauts make history

Two U.S. female astronauts made history walking on the International Space Station without a male crewmate.
U.N. flag (© Shutterstock)

How much do you know about U.S. U.N. ambassadors? [quiz]

Test your skills about the men and women who have held the post of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Don't worry. We give hints.
Kelly Craft with hand raised, seated in front of "United States" sign (© Richard Drew/AP Images)

What does a U.S. representative to the U.N. do?

The new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations presented her credentials to the secretary-general. What will she be doing at the U.N.?
Elizabeth Slater sitting in front of large flags (© Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

State Department honors Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Slater as first Hero of U.S....

Meet Elizabeth "Lizzie" Slater, a foreign service specialist who embodies the ethos of diplomacy through her tenacity and teamwork.
Portrait of dark-haired woman with long Indian-beadwork earrings (© Shawn Miller/Library of Congress)

Meet Joy Harjo, the new U.S. poet laureate

Joy Harjo, a Native American poet, playwright and musician, has been named the new U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress.
Artwork depicting lives of Chinese empresses (© The Palace Museum)

China’s last empresses debut in U.S. exhibit

Beijing's Palace Museum has lent the Smithsonian paintings, embroidered gowns and other items dating from China's Qing Dynasty for an exhibit on empresses.