Ana Catalina Soberanis

Ana Catalina Soberanis Reyes is a lawyer and consultant who served as the first female president of the Congress of Guatemala.

Early life and education

Catalina Soberanis was born in Guatemala on 14 November 1948. She graduated as a lawyer and has a postgraduate degree in Indigenous People's Law. She also has certifications in other studies, such as Political Organization and Management, Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts.

Career

Soberanis was one of only three women out of 88 members of the Assembly that drafted the Guatemalan Constitution in 1984. She was Secretary of Labor during the government of Vinicio Cerezo and Secretary of Peace for Alfonso Portillo. In addition, the former leader of Congress was candidate for president of Guatemala in 1999.

Presidency of Congress

Soberanis became president of the Congress of Guatemala in 1991, after having been leader of the Christian Democracy members.

Post-presidency

She is a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme in Guatemala and a university professor.

Legacy

She made history by being the first female president of the Congress of Guatemala.