1933-

Politician and diplomat. Born in Zurich, immigrated to the US in 1940. She was the first woman governor of Vermont (1985 – 91), and the first woman ever to have served three terms as a state governor. Under President Clinton she served as Deputy Secretary of Education (1903-7), reflecting her life-long interest in education. She was also active in the Clinton administration’s policy-making in the areas of the environment and women’s affairs. In 1996 she was appointed US ambassador to Switzerland and Liechenstein, a post she held until 1999. She then moved into academic life.