This PeaceMaker knows the ins and outs of power

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Claudette Werleigh was Haiti's first female prime minister

Written by
Peter Rowe
11 a.m., Oct. 20, 2011

They are black and white, Christian and Muslim, and come from every corner of the globe. But the four Women PeaceMakers now nearing the end of their stay at the University of San Diego are remarkably alike.

The common bonds are obvious. Dr. Rashad Zaydan feeds, houses and educates Iraq’s victims of war. Manjula Pradeep defends India’s “untouchables.” Wahu Kaara fights corruption in Kenya. Claudette Werleigh campaigns for democracy in Haiti.

There’s something unique, though, about that last woman. While all four PeaceMakers have fought The Power, only Werleigh has been The Power.

In November 1995, she became Haiti’s first female prime minister. Her tenure was just three months, sandwiched between a predecessor’s resignation and an election. But this experience, plus an earlier two-year stint as foreign minister, seasoned her idealism with a dash of realpolitik.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/oct/20/peacemaker-knows-ins-and-outs-power/