Rose Francine Rogombé was both the first female acting President and the first female President of Senate in Gabon. The senator of Lambaréné, became President of the Senate in 2009; shortly thereafter, she was named acting President upon death of President Omar Bongo. Having studied law in France, Rogombé also served as a magistrate, Secretary of State for the Advancement of Women and Human Rights, and Vice President of the Special Criminal Court.