Portia Simpson-Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica

Portia Simpson-Miller defeated Prime Minister P. J. Patterson in the 2006 general election, becoming the first female head of the Jamaican government. She was elected prime minister of the nation for a second term in December of 2011, assuming office in January 2012.

Simpson-Miller was ranked among Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2012, and named Person of the Year by The Gleaner and Observer at the 2011 Gleaner awards.