The Icelandic magazine Nýtt Líf voted Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir Woman of the Year 2009.
A statement from the magazine reads in part, “The Woman of the Year 2009 dove into the deep end even though she knew she’d be commencing one of the most difficult and unpopular tasks that she has ever taken on,” refering of course to the resurrection of the Icelandic economy during a time of crisis.
Sigurðardóttir is also the only woman to have won this title twice. When she won the title in 1993, she was asked then whether or not she believed a woman could become Prime Minister. She expressed doubts at the time, but added, “Although, there is a chance.”
Nýtt Líf concludes their statement saying, “Regardless of any political positions, the Woman of the Year 2009 is a model for women who want to get things done.”
Sigurðardóttir has served in parliament since 1978, as an MP, and became Minister of Social Affairs twice. She is Iceland’s first female Prime Minister, and the first openly gay head of government.