Final answer:
Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh, ruling from 1479 to 1458 BCE, known for extensive building projects and trade expansions. Sobekneferu may have been the first woman to rule Egypt, but her reign was short-lived. Hatshepsut's statues, which can still be seen today, reflect her unique status as a female ruler in ancient Egypt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first female Pharaoh was Hatshepsut, who ruled from 1479 to 1458 BCE. She initially served as a regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, and later assumed full power, declaring herself pharaoh. Hatshepsut was an innovative leader, famous for her massive building projects and the importation of goods from Nubia. Despite her successful reign, her memory was actively suppressed by Thutmose III after her death. Another notable figure was Sobekneferu, who ruled before the New Kingdom and was likely the first woman to rule Egypt, after the deaths of Senusret III and Amenemhat III, but her reign was brief.
As a ruler, Hatshepsut was represented in statutes both with feminine attributes and with the traditional male regalia of Pharaohs, including the ceremonial beard and the headdress. The statues and reliefs from her time provide some insight into how she navigated her role in a male-dominated position. Despite this, her legacy endured and many of her statues can be found in museums worldwide.