Of all of Iceland’s unique statistics, one stands out. Back in 1980, the island country elevated the world’s first democratically-elected female head of state. It was an emergent time for female leaders. England’s Margaret Thatcher and Israel’s Golda Meir had risen to be prime ministers. But Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the first to become a top leader through a popular vote.

Finnbogadóttir left office in 1996. But on our tour of new ideas and pioneers, we wanted to meet her. It’s certainly a long shot to expect to meet a former head of state, especially one with a world’s-first superlative. But we put in a request anyway. Her assistant responded ten minutes later. “She’d love to host you for coffee,