(May 21, 1944- )
Birth name is Mary Therese Bourke
President of Ireland (1990-1997)
Labour Member of the Irish Senate (1969-1989)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002)

She served only one term before resigning.
Her role as president was mostly ceremonial.
Her marriage to a Protestant caused friction with her parents.
When she supported birth control, opponents began sending her condoms.
She was accused of breaking Vatican dress codes while visiting the Pope.

She became a law professor while still in her twenties.
She is the first woman to be elected president of Ireland.
Her approval rating was 93 percent at one point.
She is credited with revitalizing the president's role.
She used her position to promote human rights.
She supports gay rights and access to birth control.
She opposes the death penalty.
She is now a professor at Columbia University.

Credit: The Truffle

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For 2009, as of last week, Out of 35 Votes: 51.43% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 47 Votes: 61.70% Annoying
In 2007, Out of 74 Votes: 59.46% Annoying
In 2006, Out of 144 Votes: 43.06% Annoying
In 2005, Out of 51 Votes: 17.65% Annoying

• Australian Magazine's 100 Most Powerful Women in the World [May 4, 1996]
• Country's First Female Head of State
• Glamour Women of the Year - 16th Annual [2005]
• New Statesman's 50 Heroes for Our Time [2006] (Ranked: 20)
• People with John or Mary in their Names
• Profiles 16501-16750 (Ranked: 16728)
• Real Time with Bill Maher Panelists
• Redheads - Female [M-Z]
• The Truffle's Profiles [Series 2]
• Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2005 [April 2005]