Reuters quote of the day August 17

London, Aug 16 (Reuters) Following is a notable quote from history. ''I have the touch of velvet, but when it comes to taking a firm line I am as hard as steel.'' -- Ruth Perry, after she was chosen by a meeting of West African heads of state to chair Liberia's ruling council, thus becoming Africa's first woman head of state on Aug. 17, 1996.

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