The Lady among The Gents

Is it just ME – I don’t believe it could be –  or were you, too,  saddened  hearing of the passing of Margaret Thatcher ?

The debate over Mrs. Thatcher’s political contributions and legacy will long be argued; that is not my purpose here.

Rather, it is to pay homage to the wife,  mother, and public servant that was Margaret Thatcher.  In a word, incredible.

Coming of political age in the post WW II era, a soft-spoken homemaker found her voice – and the political machine of a war-ravaged Great Britain became interested in hearing what it was she had to say.    For the next thirty-plus years, she spoke with passion, sincerity, and calm resolve – and the world became interested in hearing what it was she had to say.

The political accomplishments of she who became known as “the Iron lady” are written into history.  The first women to be elected to the office of Prime Minister of Great Britain, the fist victor of three successive elections to the office, a believer in free enterprise and entrepreneurship, Margaret Thatcher’s impact on the role of women in world affairs  will forever contribute to the ever-progressing role we are all called upon to play.

 A woman ahead of the times, Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has surely been a role-model to many, an inspiration, an example of all that is possible when we dare to take a step, then another, and another, and another…

Quoted as saying she never believed she would live to see a female Prime Minister in Great Britain,  Mrs. Thatcher kept her focus, served with passion, and stood fast to her beliefs.

Not always popular among the masses, she continued to move forward, as planned, despite an assassination attempt on her life.  She remained a leader and a lady at all times and won the respect of many world leaders, quite notably, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, whose paths in office crossed, thus sparking the “tag-team” of Thatcherism and Reagonomics; both policies helped restore financial stability for individuals, business persons, and entrepreneurs as they pushed back socialism in favor of capitalism.

Regardless of your yeah or nay perspective of her platform, may we agree that the role Margaret Thatcher played in advancing the place of women in the world is undeniable. 

I am moved by her simple, yet profound, words as she embarked upon her last and most difficult tenure as prime Minister:

Where there is discord, let us bring harmony,

Where there is error, truth.

Where there is doubt, let us bring faith,

Where there is despair, hope.

I am blessed to come to know women from around the world quite regularly; never have I met nor spoken with one who wouldn’t aspire to fulfill the dreams, the goal declared by Mrs. Thatcher.

So, IS it just me, or are you, too inclined to whisper a “thank you to “The Iron Lady” who maintained her ability to speak so tenderly?

Margaret Thatcher

1925 - 2013