This week has seen the death of another, more renowned Mrs T. Baroness Thatcher. The first (and only) female British Prime Minister.
I am not sure a single person has divided opinion in Britain as widely as she did – and continues to do so. She did not always get it right. Some of her policies were difficult to stomach (the Poll Tax, mine closures) but she revolutionised a country which at the time was one of the poorest in Europe and was ruthless with the Trade Unions who were holding the country to ransom.
What I find admirable is she made decisions and stuck to them. Something modern politicians could learn much from.
Despite being the first female British Prime Minister she never considered herself a feminist and throughout her tenure at number ten certainly exuded traits typically thought of as masculine. She was a strong, unwavering, internationally renowned leader first and foremost. Someone who was fiercely passionate about Britain. The fact she was a woman was secondary. But, whether it was her intention or not, she has become a feminist icon and an inspiration for many women.
For me, growing up with a woman as a Prime Minister cemented the idea that gender did not matter. The top two figureheads in the country, the Monarch and the Prime Minister were both women while in popular culture Madonna was ruling the charts. I took it for granted that women could do whatever they wanted. It was not an issue. To an extent it feels as though we have regressed somewhat in Britain. We have to look harder for woman in powerful positions. They are not as overtly visible in politics (the Cabinet is predominantly male) and in business (although I am not in favour of a ‘quota’ system).
Thatcher’s legacy will live on and with her death comes a reminder of what we can do as women. What my Mrs T can do in the future. Maybe one day she will be Prime Minister. Whatever she wants to do, I will support her, and ensure she is never put off by paths seemingly thought of as male only. I will remind her that during the eighties there was a strong, decisive woman who ruled the country. And there could be again.
