Who was the first woman to lead a major Western democracy?

Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become the head of a major Western nation, and a leader in ushering in a conservative political philosophy, reshaped much of Britain’s foreign, social and economic policies during the Cold War era. Although Thatcher’s first interest was chemistry, her passion for politics eventually won out when she was elected president of the student Conservative Association at Oxford.

Thatcher seized on the opportunity to run for Prime Minister, given the British public’s discontent with the Labour Government’s policies. During her three terms, she increased market competition with the National Health Service, included a national curriculum within the educational system, and established an alliance with President Reagan regarding her philosophy of decentralized government. Thatcher acknowledges her ascent in politics can be much attributed to her perseverance, as she suggests, “I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.”

Click here to read more about Margaret Thatcher.

About BrookeN

Brooke Nepo has written 31 articles on this blog.

Brooke Nepo is a recent graduate of Binghamton University, where she majored in Philosophy, Politics and Law and competed as a collegiate Track and Field thrower. In addition to interning at the Woodhull Institute, she is a Personal Fitness Trainer and training to be a competitive Weightlifter.

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