Simone Veil in Paris before the 100th anniversary of the International Women's Rights day. Former Health Minister and former Member of the European Parliament, Veil, 82, has made considerable advancements for women's rights both in France and internationally over the past fifty years. As health Minister, she made access to the contraceptive pill easier in 1974 and legalized abortion in 1975. She was elected to the French 'Assemble Nationale' in 2008 and will be received under the institution's dome on March 18th. Paris, FRANCE - 05/03/2010.