Madeleine M. Kunin

Madeleine May Kunin is an American diplomat and politician. She was the 77th Governor of Vermont from 1985 until 1991, as a member of the Democratic Party. She also served as United States Ambassador to Switzerland from 1996 to 1999. She was Vermonts first and, to date, only female governor as well as the first Jewish governor of Vermont. She was also the first Jewish woman to be elected governor of a U.S. state. Kunin is currently a James Marsh ProfessoratLarge at the University of Vermont.

Kunin was born in Zrich, the daughter of Renee and Ferdinand May. Her family was Jewish. She moved to the United States as a child. She received her bachelors degree in history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst , a masters degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and a masters degree in English from the University of Vermont. Prior to seeking elective office, she worked as a journalist for The Burlington Free Press, as a tour guide at the Worlds Fair, and as a parttime college professor. She was also involved in community activities, particularly in the area of womens rights, children, and literature. In 2012 her book, The New Feminist Agenda Defining the Next Revolution for Women, Work, and Family, was published by Chelsea Green Publishing.

Source: Wikipedia