Pakistani Parliament's First Female Speaker

Fahmida Mirza, a newly elected lawmaker, center, leaves Parliament after submitting her papers for the seat of Speaker of the National Assembly, on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Islamabad, Pakistan. The party of slain Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto nominated Mirza, a close associate of her widower to be parliament's first female speaker, but divisions remained over who should be the next prime minister. (B.k.bangash - AP)

Fehmida Mirza, arrives at the Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March. 19, 2008. Pakistan's parliament elected Fehmida Mirza, a medical doctor, as its first woman National Assembly speaker on Wednesday. "It's a tremendous thing and something Pakistan can be proud of," said Nasim Zehra, a Pakistani analyst and fellow at Harvard University's Asia Center. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash) (B.k.bangash - AP)

Fehmida Mirza, arrives at the Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March. 19, 2008. Pakistan's parliament elected Fehmida Mirza, a medical doctor, as its first woman National Assembly speaker on Wednesday. "It's a tremendous thing and something Pakistan can be proud of," said Nasim Zehra, a Pakistani analyst and fellow at Harvard University's Asia Center. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash) (B.k.bangash - AP)

Newly elected speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Fahmida Mirza, front, left, sits in the Parliament on Wednesday, March. 19, 2008. Fehmida Mirza, a medical doctor, is the first woman elected as National Assembly speaker in Pakistan's 60-year history. (AP Photo) (AP)

Newly elected speaker of Pakistan National Assembly Fahmida Mirza casts her vote at the Parliament in Islamabad, Wednesday, March. 19, 2008. Fehmida Mirza, a medical doctor, is the first woman elected as National Assembly speaker in Pakistan's 60-year history. (AP Photo) (AP)