Ruth Perry

Ruth Perry was appointed Chairperson of the Council of State of Liberia in September 1996, becoming the first female African head of state in the modern era. She led the transitional government during the final stages of the First Liberian Civil War.

Perry's government supervised the disarmament of warring factions and organized the 1997 general elections, which brought Charles Taylor to power. Despite criticisms of the election's fairness, Perry's leadership helped end the civil war and restore civilian rule.

After leaving office in 1997, Perry remained active in peacebuilding and women's rights advocacy. She worked with organizations such as the Liberian Women's Initiative, promoting reconciliation and gender equality in post-conflict Liberia.