Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, first female head of state in Africa, addresses Club, Feb. 16, 2007

This Week In National Press Club History

February 16, 2007: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first elected woman head of state in Africa, reviews the accomplishments of her first year in office and looks ahead to her country’s future at a National Press Club luncheon. She joins Golda Meir, prime minister of Israel, Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of Britain, Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India, and Mary Robinson, president of Ireland, each the first woman elected to lead her country, who have addressed the Club. Christine Lagarde, the first woman to head the International Monetary Fund, also spoke at a Club luncheon January 15, 2014.

February 17, 1999: Civil rights leader and U. S. Representative John Lewis (D-Ga), discusses his book "Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement" at the Club. He is the sole surviving speaker from the historic March on Washington.

February 21, 2012: Danica Patrick, one of the most successful women in the history of American auto racing, as well as a model and advertising spokeswoman, discusses her breakthrough career at a Club luncheon. Her third place finish in the 2009 Indianapolis 500 was the highest ever by a woman.

This Week In Natonal Press Club History is brought to you by the History & Heritage Committee, which preserves and revitalizes the Club’s distinguished history through lobby displays, panel discussions, events and oral history interviews.

For more information about the Committee’s actitivities, or to join, contact Chair Gilbert Klein at [email protected].