<Tr> <Td> Ruth Perry </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Liberia </Td> <Td> Chairman of the Council of State </Td> <Td> 3 September 1996 </Td> <Td> 2 August 1997 </Td> <Td> 7002333000000000000 ♠ 333 days </Td> <Td> Head of state and government </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rosalía Arteaga Serrano </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Ecuador </Td> <Td> Acting President </Td> <Td> 9 February 1997 </Td> <Td> 11 February 1997 </Td> <Td> 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 days </Td> <Td> Head of state and government </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mary McAleese </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Ireland </Td> <Td> President </Td> <Td> 11 November 1997 </Td> <Td> 10 November 2011 </Td> <Td> 7003511200000000000 ♠ 13 years, 364 days </Td> <Td> Head of state </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jenny Shipley </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> New Zealand </Td> <Td> Prime Minister </Td> <Td> 5 December 1997 </Td> <Td> 5 December 1999 </Td> <Td> 7002730000000000000 ♠ 2 years, 0 days </Td> <Td> Head of government </Td> </Tr>

First country to elect a female head of state