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Ruth Dreifuss Politician

Ruth Dreifuss (born 9 January 1940 in St. Gallen) is a Swiss politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party. She was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1993 to 2002, representing the Canton of Geneva). She was elected to the Swiss Federal Council on 10 March 1993 as the 100th member elected since the foundation of the federal state, the second woman to be elected to the council, and the only councillor with a Jewish background so far.She was the President of the Confederation in 1999, the first woman to hold this position.She is member of the World Knowledge Dialogue Scientific Board. Ruth Dreifuss is also a member of the International Commission against the Death Penalty. The Commission, which is supported by 18 States, is promoting the universal abolition of the death penalty.