gender-neutral alternative to chairman, chairwoman, by 1971, American English, from chair (n.) + person.
Entries linking to chairperson
chairman n.
1650s, "occupier of a chair of authority," from chair (n.) + man (n.). The meaning "member of a corporate body chosen to preside at meetings" is from c. 1730. Chairwoman in this sense is attested from 1699; chairperson from 1971.
chairwoman n.
"woman who leads a formal meeting," 1699, from chair (n.) + woman.