I was surprised when I first heard the news that Germany elected its first female chancellor in Angela Merkel. She won that historic November 22 election by a razor thin margin in 2005, but so far polls are indicating that she might have an easier time when the German federal elections are held in September.
She was already overwhelmingly reelected in December 2008 as the head of the Christian Democratic Party.
As the leader of the nation with Europe's largest economy, Merkel was not only ranked Number 1 by Forbes Magazine in its survey of the 100 Most Powerful Women, she was also voted by Europeans as their most influential politician.
Merkel not only has Germany's economy growing, she's made sure that German women are occupying senior government posts as well. Mattel even created a Barbie doll in her honor complete with her signature bob hairdo they unveiled at a German toy show but as of yet haven't decided if they are going to put it into production.In addition to becoming the first woman to become Germany's chancellor, in 2007 she became the second woman to chair the G-8 after someone she's frequently compared to, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
If the polls hold and there are no big surprises between now and September, she'll be there in Berlin to greet President Obama on his first official presidential trip to Germany or at the next G-8 summit.
