Tarja Halonen, 68, is the 11th president of Finland. She served from 2000 to 2012 as the first female president of the republic of Finland. Halonen graduated from the University of Helsinki where she studied law from 1963 to 1968. She later served in Finland’s Parliament during 1979-2000. During the time of her presidency she won popularity among the Finns. Halonen is widely known for her interest in human rights issues, including her persistent drive in affairs regarding women’s rights and globalization. In 2009 Forbes named her one of the most powerful women of the world.