Renowned scientist and biologist Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was last week endorsed by the Mauritian Parliament to be the first female president of the African island

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (56), who has many ‘First’ credits to her name in the academic realm made history yet again after she was elected in a unanimous by the country’s House of Parliament as the first ever female President of the country.

She is the first lady to become a University Professor and a Dean of the Faculty of Science in Mauritius – now she serves her country as a pioneer in the political domain.

Mauritian Parliament speaker, Maya Hanoomanjee said that she was astounded by the unanimous approval of Gurib-Fakim’s election and that it was a phenomenal day for the Island.

Parliamentarians and Ministers had much to say about the new female president and the country’s historic event, “I have always believed in the equality of men and women,” Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth told reporters.

Gurib-Fakim’s appointment comes after the former President of the Island, Kailash Purryag, stepped down as leader about a week before Gurib-Fakim’s selection after serving as President since July 2012, when he was appointed by the island’s previous Labour party government of former premier Navin Ramgoolam.

Mauritius’ election of a female leader will go a long way in advancing women empowerment and possibly lead to the elimination of the notion of patriarchy that has been attached to the title for decades – at least in Mauritius.

Check out a TED Talk she gave last year where she speaks about rare plant species from isolated islands and regions in Africa: