Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Northern Ireland 
Northern Ireland had its own government with a degree of autonomy from United Kingdom until 1968 which was re-introduced in 1999 after long and hard negotiations between the Protestants and Catholics. The government was suspended in 2000 and in October 2002.

Also see Northern_Ireland_Parliament and United Kingdom Devolved Governments

1937-44 Parliamentary Secretary of Education Dame Dehra Parker
1944-49 Chairperson of Government Committee of Youth
1948-49 Chairperson of General Health Services Board
1949-57 Minister of Health and Local Government
She was elected an Unionist Member of the Northern Ireland Parliament in 1921 (married for the 1.time 1901)  

1993-95 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Northern Ireland Responsible for the Departments of Health and Social Service 
1995-97 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Northern Ireland Responsible for the Departments of Agriculture and Economy as well as Spokesperson on all Northern Ireland matters in the House of Lords The Baroness Denton of Wakefield
A member of the British government, Jean Denton was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Trade and Industries for Consumers' Affairs 1992-93 Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Trade and Industries for Consumers' Affairs 1992-93, and was created a Baroness in 1991, and lived (1935-2001).

1997-99 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Dr. Mo Mowlan
As Northern Ireland Secretary and member of the British Cabinet, she was in effect Chief Minister of the Province. One of her main achievements was the negotiations which led to the introduction of home rule. Later she was Minister in the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lanchester 1999-2001. (b. 1949- ).

1999-2000 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Brid Rodgers
2000-02 Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
Former Senator in the Republic of Ireland, 1998-99 Chairperson of SDLP Negotiation Team during the devolution negotiations and from 2001 Deputy Party Leader. Mother of 6 children. (b. 1931-)

1999-2000 Minister of Social Services and Health Bairbre De Brún
2000-02 Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
She is born in the Republic of Ireland and is a leading member of Sinn Feinn. 

2000-02 Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Jane Morrice

2001-02 Minister of Employment and Learning Carmel Hanna

2001- Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office with responsibility for Security, Policing and Prisons (Deputy Secretary of State)
2002- Responsible for the Departments of Education and Employment and Learning Jane Kennedy
After the introduction of Home Rule the Northern Ireland Secretary remained in charge of Matters not devolved to the Assembly - i.e Policing, security policy, prisons, criminal justice, victims, rights and equality and political development. The joint responsibility with Irish Government for the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, and representing Northern Ireland's interest in the UK. And Jane Kennedy is responsible for parts of this responsibility. After the Home Rule was suspended in October 2002, she was given charge of two government departments. She was Cabinet. Assistant Government Whip 1997-98, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury 1998-99, and Parliamentary Secretary in the Lord Chancellor's Department 1999-2001. (b. 1958-).
 
2002- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of the Northern Ireland Office with responsibility for the Departments of the Environment, Regional Development and of Culture, Arts and Leisure Angela Smith
She was Assistant Government Whip 2001-02 until her appointment as temporary Minister in the Northern Ireland Office after the home rule was suspended and given charge of a number of departments in the government. (b. 1959-).

2007- Minister of Agriculture Michelle Gildernew

2007- Minister of Education Catriona Ruane
Sinn Fein MP from 2001.

2007- Minister of Social Development Margaret Ritchie
SDLP Assembly Member.

2007- Minister of Environment Arlene Foster
UUP Assembly Member until three years ago, when she jointed the Ulster Unionists.

Last update 17.04.07