This article is part of a series called Turning Points, in which writers explore what critical moments from this year might mean for the year ahead.
You can read more by visiting the Turning Points series page. 1. An African woman leads the World Trade Organization. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala made history in March by becoming the first African and the first woman to serve as director-general of the World Trade Organization.
Ms. Okonjo-Iweala was also the first woman to serve as finance minister in her native Nigeria, a position she held twice. 2.