by Kathy Groob, Publisher ElectWomen Magazine

While 2008 brought disappointment for women hoping the glass ceiling would be shattered at the highest level of the executive, 2009 saw modest progress.  Women were appointed to key positions within the Obama administration and women were elected to fill vacant seats in Congress and in key city government roles.

ElectWomen Magazine takes a look back at the top women in politics stories for 2009.

#1 Hillary Clinton – after a hard fought primary election for President of the United States, Hillary Clinton was appointed to the top position in the U.S. Government – Secretary of State.  Earlier this year, ElectWomen Magazine named Hillary Clinton the world’s most powerful woman based upon a poll of its readers.

#2 Nancy Pelosi – after becoming the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007, Ms. Pelosi showed her political strength and acumen in 2009 as she pushed through historic legislation on women’s pay equity, the environment, for economic recovery and job, and finally health care reform.

#3 Kirsten Gillibrand – New York Governor David Patterson appointed Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the New York U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton.  The appointment process was fraught with drama that included a potential bid by Caroline Kennedy

#4 Beverly Perdue – North Carolina elected its first female governor in Beverly Perdue in late 2008 and she was sworn into office to face a massive budget shortfall, shrinking economy and the challenge of creating jobs.

#5 Kathleen Sebelius – Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius resigned her post to accept the position of Health & Human Services Cabinet Secretary in the Obama Administration.

#6 Judy Chu – Dr. Judy Chu, a Chinese American woman won the special election for U.S. Representative in California to fill the seat vacated by Hilda Solis who was appointed as secretary of labor.  Chu is the first Chinese American woman to serve in Congress.

#7 Sarah Palin – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stunned the nation when she resigned as governor midway through her first time.  The resignation follows her unsuccessful bid for Vice President in 2008.

#8 Sonia Sotomayor – After a lengthy confirmation process, Sonia Sotomayor of New York was appointed as the third woman to ever serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.  She is the first Hispanic to be appointed to the high court.

#9 Martha Coakley – Poised to win the special general election in January 2010, Martha Coakley won the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts formerly held by the late Edward Kennedy.

#10 Annise Parker – Houston elected its first openly gay mayor in a special election held in December.  Annise Parker won the election with 53.6% of the vote in the nation’s fourth largest city.