Margaret Thatcher, the first female leader of a major political party in the West, died Monday morning at the age of 87. According to family, she died peacefully after a stroke and struggle with ill-health and dementia for some time. Thatcher, known by many as the “Iron Lady” of politics lead the Conservative party to great success. Although her career was marked by struggle, Thatcher’s ability to assert herself and take control are admired by many to this day; a quote that characterizes her unwavering leadership is, “You don’t follow the crowd. You make up your own mind.” Regardless of her political beliefs, her strength of mind and almost reckless pursuit of what she believed was right is an incredible legacy.
Thatcher’s humble beginnings were also an indication of her tremendous ability to gain power through her strong personality. Thatcher was raised 100 miles north of London in Lincolnshire, the daughter of a Methodist preacher. Her combination of family values and personal perseverance may have led to her principle belief that economic and individual freedom are dependent on each other. Soon after graduating from Oxford with a degree in chemistry, Thatcher became involved in politics and began her long and notable career, ending in several terms as Prime Minister. Thatcher first took this position during an incredibly difficult economic time in England, but this did not stop her from doing what she thought was best. Although her decisions increased unemployment and slashed subsidies from failing industries for the first years of her rule, her courage to claim that things would get worse before they got better was both truthful and impressive. At a time when it seems as though politicians will lie about anything to prove that our country is prospering in ways it is not, it is great to look back and admire the strength and honesty of such a leader.
Although Margaret Thatcher has been a source of much conflict as a political leader, her courage and persistence as a leader are qualities every woman can admire. Even though her death marks the end of a powerful woman’s reign, this opportunity to reflect on women’s abilities to rise from humble beginnings to world-changing and influential leaders is one that we should all cherish.
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