Yvette Roudy, Who Led France's Fight for Women's Rights, Dies at 97

Yvette Roudy, France's first Minister for Women's Rights, died August 18, 2026, at 97. President Mitterrand appointed her in 1981 after 23 years of conservative governments. She served until 1986. Her work later helped inspire France's 2000 parity law, which required equal numbers of men and women as candidates in most elections.