Mignon Clyburn has become the first woman to lead the Federal Communications Commission. She took over as acting chair at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and awaits confirmation from the Senate.
Photo: Flickr/Knight Foundation
Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi woman, at the age of 27, to climb Mount Everest. Women in Saudi Arabia are still not legally allowed to drive.
Barbara Walters was the first woman to co-anchor an evening news program in the United States. She announced her retirement on Monday.
Alondra Cano secured the DFL nomination for Minneapolis’ Ninth Ward city council seat on Saturday, taking her one step closer to being the first Mexican American to earn a seat on the Midwest city’s council.
Photo: Facebook
Deborah Turness, head of the UK’s ITV Network since 2004, has been named president of NBC News, making her the first woman to lead a network news division in the United States.
Arwa Al-Hujaili becomes first female lawyer in Saudi Arabia
“People tell me I’m a pioneer and I feel I need to live up to what they expect of me,” Al-Hujaili told CNN. “There’s a great sense of responsibility. From now on, people will look at everything I do.”
Saudi Arabian law schools began accepting female students in 2005 and graduating their first students in 2008, but many became discouraged when the Ministry refused to allow them to register as trainee lawyers. Many graduates left the country to practice abroad.
Microsoft promotes Amy Hood to be first female CFO
Microsoft named 41-year-old Amy Hood to be its first female chief financial officer. Hood was formerly an executive at the company.
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Betty Miller became the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean when she departed from Oakland, California and flew to Brisbane, Australia in 1963. She received the Federal Aviation Administration Gold Medal from President John F. Kennedy that same year. Today, she teaches flight lessons in Utah.
Sara Blakely, founder of the Spanx empire, became the first female billionaire to sign on to Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge on Tuesday. The Giving Pledge is a commitment by the world’s wealthiest individuals to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.
Forbes reported that Blakely is the world’s youngest self-made billionaire and estimated her net worth at $1 billion.
