Passion or Profession: Paramount chief, politician

Period: 1921–2006

Ella Koblo Gulama was the daughter of a paramount chief and took over his position upon his death. She married a chief from another tribe before being elected to the House of Representatives—the first woman to join that body. When the country gained its independence, she was elected to Parliament and appointed Minister of State, becoming the first female to hold a cabinet-level position in West Africa.