AnnaLee Rice

Lady Margaret Thatcher, Britain's longest serving and sole female Prime Minister, died today at the age of 87 from a series of strokes. Perhaps the most controversial and polarizing politician of the 20th century, Thatcher's political reforms combating inflation and scaling back the state continue to be felt and questioned in Britain and the world today. A hero of the conservative party, she was described as the "political soulmate" of Ronald Reagan and their hard-line against the Soviet Union and communism sparked the coinage of her monicker, the Iron Lady.

Regardless of her contentious handling of Ireland, the cradle of Notre Dame, Thatcher's many accomplishments, including a scientific and legal background, and dual occupation as mother and politician strike a particular chord with young women around the world. Born to a grocer, Thatcher studied chemistry at Oxford and worked as a research chemist during her early professional life, only becoming a barrister and politician after the birth of her children. Her legacy offers a nuanced response to Anne-Marie Slaughter's infamous declaration in The Atlantic that women still can't have it all by showing that a ferocious political presence did not demand the sacrifice of motherhood or fulfilling private life. She reminded us that no one can have it all because choices must be made, especially with regards to leadership. She famously said: "Being prime minister is a lonely job. In a sense, it ought to be - you cannot lead from a crowd." Those are certainly words to live by.

For more information on the life of Margaret Thatcher, see the BBC's excellent obituary. 

As dutiful Notre Dame students searching for truth and intellectual engagement at all times, junior psychology major Sophia Melone and I had a conversation about women’s media while walking to a French night club at 2 AM. She was kind enough to debate with me further to critically assess the concept of women’s media. Namely, is women's media furthering or hindering women’s personal development?

We also talk animatedly while surveying some beautiful French beaches...in the dead of winter. #Studyabroad. 

AnnaLee Rice, HCND: What is your first concern with women’s media and its subject matter?

Sophia Melone: Well, I feel like there are a lot of publications out there that brand themselves as “feminist.” However, they put out content that really confirms stereotypes about women and therefore really aren’t helping all that much.

HCND: What stereotypes are you seeing and how are they being advanced?

SM: Well, for example, fitness articles. While it is excellent to encourage women to work out for the sake of their health or to push their bodies to their greatest potential, that’s rarely what these articles are using as motivation. Often it’s more about vanity and trying to look hot in your sleeveless dress. So while working out and being physically strong goes against the thought that women are weak, it really doesn’t help us in terms of defying the stereotype that were more focused on looks than men.

Microsoft is searching for hard working, entrepreneurial, well-connected and social media savvy students to be a part of an exciting and rewarding marketing program on campus this Spring. Your job will be to help increase awareness and usage of SkyDrive through events, online activities, and other efforts – all customized to your campus based on what YOU know about your peers.

SkyDrive stores your files in the cloud so you can access, share, and collaborate on them anywhere. If you love tech products, are excited to talk about them and are looking to gain both real-world experience and extra money, a part-time job as a SkyDrive Ambassador is the perfect fit!

Key responsibilities include:

·       Learn how to build a brand and market it in exciting ways

·       Partner with and learn directly from Microsoft’s marketing professionals

·       Develop a program with social media marketing, product demos, mini focus groups

·       Analyze and track the effectiveness of your marketing efforts

What you’ll get:

·       Resume-building experience to jumpstart your career with a powerful global brand

·       Great pay of a base salary and performance-based bonuses

·       Opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills

·       Exclusive access and knowledge of Microsoft SkyDrive

What you need to know: