INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN ICELAND

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000022 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR FOR S/WE - SASHA MEHRA AND GERDA LANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL EN SUBJECT: INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN ICELAND REF: STATE 202341 ¶1. The following is Embassy Reykjavik's response to reftel requesting a list of five of the most influential women in Iceland. Embassy Reykjavik's point of contact for women's issues is Political Officer Brad Evans (evansbr@state.gov). ¶2. Embassy has chosen the following five women, weighing factors including diversity of profession and background, name recognition, and breadth of appeal. Name: Vigdis Finnbogadottir Title: Former President of Iceland (1980-1996) Contact information: Ms. Vigdis Finnbogadottir, Aragotu 2, 101 Reykjavik, ICELAND Name: Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir Title: Minister of Education, Science and Culture; Member of Parliament, Vice Chairman of the Independence Party Institution: Cabinet; Parliament; Independence Party Contact information: Ms. Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, Skrifstofa Althingis, 150 Reykjavik, ICELAND E-mail: thkg@althingi.is Name: Rannveig Rist Title: CEO of Alcan Iceland Ltd. Institution: Alcan Iceland Ltd. Contact information: Ms. Rannveig Rist, Alcan Iceland Ltd., Straumsvik, P.O. Box 244, 222 Hafnarfjordur, ICELAND E-mail: hildurg@alcan.com (secretary's email address) Name: Valgerdur Sverrisdottir Title: Minister for Foreign Affairs; Member of Parliament Institution: Cabinet; Parliament Contact information: Ms. Valgerdur Sverrisdottir, Skrifstofa Althingis, 150 Reykjavik, ICELAND E-mail: valgsv@althingi.is NOTE: Sverrisdottir participated in the Secretary's roundtable discussion on women's empowerment in conjunction with UNGA in September 2006. Name: Halla Tomasdottir Title: Managing Director of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce Institution: Iceland Chamber of Commerce Contact information: Ms. Halla Tomasdottir, Iceland Chamber of Commerce, House of Commerce, 7th floor, Kringlan 7, 103 Reykjavik, ICELAND E-mail: halla@vi.is VAN VOORST