Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norway's First Woman Prime Minister, Will Speak at Jepson Leadership Forum at University of Richmond

October 10, 2003

Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norway's first woman prime minister and former director-general of the World Health Organization, will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 in Jepson Alumni Center at the University of Richmond.

In her first lecture since recently stepping down as head of WHO, Brundtland will share her insights on world health threats.

Her speech is part of the Jepson Leadership Forum for 2003-04. This year's theme is "Leadership and Crisis." Tickets are free but required. Call (804) 289-8980.

Brundtland, a medical doctor with a Harvard master's degree in public health, headed WHO during the height of the SARS epidemic. A champion of women's and environmental issues, she has been described as a left-wing version of the iron-willed conservative Margaret Thatcher.

In 1981, at 41, she became prime minister of Norway for the first time. She was the youngest person and the first woman to hold that office. She was prime minister a total of 10 years, serving terms in 1981, from 1986-1989, and from 1990-1996.

Brundtland was elected director-general of WHO in May 1998.