About Sophie Kanza
Sophie Lihau-Kanza or Zala Lusibu N'Kanza (8 February 1940 – 2 April 1999) was a Congolese politician and sociologist. She was the first woman of her country to receive a secondary education, the first to graduate from a university, and the first to hold a government office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, serving as Minister of Social Affairs from 31 October 1966 to 6 December 1970. In her later life she held positions within the United Nations. == Early life and education == Sophie Kanza was born on 8 February 1940 in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo, the sixth of seven children to Élisabeth Mansangaza and Daniel Kanza. She received much of her primary and secondary education in Brazzaville, French Congo. At the time of the Belgian Congo's independence in 1960, Kanza was the only woman in the country who had been enrolled in secondary education. She eventually graduated from Lycée du Sacré Cœur (Sacred Heart High School) in June 1961. In 1964, she became the first Congolese woman to graduate from a university when she received her diploma from the University of Geneva with a degree in sociology; she worked in the same department for the university as an assistant lecturer until 1966. Kanza studied at Harvard University from 1973 to 1976, earning a master's degree and a PhD in sociology. == Political career == On 31 October 1966, Kanza was appointed Minister of Social Affairs, becoming the first woman in the country to hold government office.
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