LLILAS Benson proudly presents the Honorable Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, who will deliver an address titled "Women's Leadership and Gender Equality in the Americas."
Dr. Bachelet's address will be followed by a conversation with Dean JR DeShazo, LBJ School of Public Affairs. This event is sponsored by the Mary Ann Faulkner Distinguished Lecture Series in Latin American Public Affairs and Politics.
Dr. Michelle Bachelet is a Chilean politician and physician who made history as the first female president of Chile, serving two non-consecutive terms, from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2014 to 2018. Born in Santiago in 1951, Bachelet experienced political upheaval early in life when her father, an air force general, was arrested and died in prison following the 1973 military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet. Bachelet and her mother were also detained and later exiled, living in Australia and East Germany.
Bachelet studied medicine and later specialized in pediatrics and public health. She returned to Chile in the 1980s, becoming involved in politics as democracy was restored. She served as Minister of Health and later as Minister of Defense, the first woman in Latin America to hold the latter position.
As president, Bachelet focused on social reforms, including expanding social welfare programs, improving education, and promoting gender equality. After her presidency, she was appointed as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018, where she worked until 2022, focusing on global human rights issues.
Throughout her career, Bachelet has been a symbol of resilience and dedication to democracy, social justice, and human rights.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Space is limited, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Paloma Díaz.
