Brazil's 1st female president takes power

BRASILIA, Brazil - Dilma Rousseff was sworn in as Brazil's first female president yesterday, capping a rapid political trajectory for the career technocrat and former Marxist rebel who was imprisoned and tortured during the nation's long military dictatorship.

Rousseff, 63, takes the helm of Latin America's largest nation, which has risen both financially and politically on the world stage under outgoing leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"I am going to consolidate the transformative work done by President Lula," Rousseff said during a 40-minute inaugural address. Silva leaves office with an approval rating at 87 percent. Rousseff was his hand-chosen successor - and had served as his chief of staff.

Brazil has made significant progress since Silva was elected. His social programs and wealth redistribution helped pull 20 million people out of poverty. On the brink of a sovereign default in 2002, it now lends money to the International Monetary Fund. Unemployment is at a record low and the nation will host the 2016 Olympics.

Rousseff referenced those of her generation who fought and died at the hands of Brazil's 1964-85 military dictatorship. Rousseff was part of an armed rebel group for three years before being arrested and imprisoned in early 1970. She spent three years in jail, during which time she was brutally tortured.

"That at-times tough path made me value and love life much more," Rousseff said during her speech, choking back tears. "It gave me, more than anything else, courage to confront even bigger challenges. It is with this courage that I'm going to govern Brazil." - AP