1991
The history of IPSA's Executive Committee (EC) illustrates the balance of regions, nationalities, ideologies, and disciplinary approaches that characterize the association's pluralism; however, for 23 years, there was no representation of women scholars on the EC. Sirkka Sinkkonen, from the University of Helsinki in Finland, became the first female EC member in 1973. Inge Perko-Separovic, from the University of Zagreb in Yugoslavia, was elected in 1982 after a long gap. Elisa Reis, from IUPERJ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Carole Pateman, from the University of Sydney in Australia, were both elected in 1988.
Prof. Pateman, a prominent political theorist and one of the most influential advocates for participatory democracy, served as First Vice-President and worked closely with President Guillermo O’Donnell from 1988 to 1991. Her election as the first woman IPSA President at the 1991 IPSA World Congress in Buenos Aires was a milestone in IPSA's history. Prof. Pateman succeeded 14 male presidents over a 42-year period since IPSA’s foundation in 1949.
Guillermo O’Donnell (1988-1991) initiated the professionalization of the association and the IPSA Secretariat, a process that was accelerated by Carole Pateman. In a video interview with IPSA Executive Director Kim Fontaine-Skronski to mark the United Nations’ International Women's Day in 2021, Prof. Pateman discussed her efforts as IPSA President to increase the representation of women at IPSA World Congresses and on committees. During her tenure, she helped IPSA become more modern and professional.
Carole Pateman's election as IPSA’s first woman president in 1991 paved the way for other female scholars to attain this prestigious position. Since then, IPSA has seen an increase in female representation, with the election of four other women presidents: Lourdes Sola (2006-2009, Brazil); Helen V. Milner (2012-2014, United States); Marianne Kneuer (2018-2021, Germany), and Dianne Pinderhughes (2021-2023, United States).
