Int’l Women’s Day: Thatcher the feminist

[Hopeless Romantic]

Margaret Thatcher: strategist, capitalist…feminist?

As the first female ever to have become the head of a modern European government, it seems fitting that on International Women’s Day, we should take the time to question whether or not she made good use of her time in power. She was never going to be just another prime minister, and even if she did make a U-turn or two during her 21 years in office (incidentally, the longest time in office of any 20th century British prime minister), she rarely shied away from the important issues of the economy and immigration, earning herself the nickname of the “Iron Lady”.

However, during that 21 years, she didn’t do all that much for women. Nor did she acknowledge that she was even partially indebted to the feminist movement for her success. Why do I then dare to put “Thatcher” and “Feminist” in the same sentence?

Well, for one thing, she was definitely a woman, and she made sure people knew, particularly early on in her political career. She shared her housewife-wisdoms with the nation, and even used a handbag. Given the timing of these displays of femininity, however, it’s certainly not improbable that these gestures were more geared towards helping her shrug off the “Iron Lady” image and adopt a more human-looking form.

However, to denounce her on those grounds would be plain wrong; every potential prime minister uses aspects of who they are to appeal to the electorate, and the ongoing personality war between Brown and Cameron proves how important simple countenance has become. By taking advantage of her womanhood and her motherhood, she implied that she would never renounce the privileges endowed to her by her sex – she never did – and considering her sheer intelligence, I believe that it could not have been anything but a conscious decision to suggest this.


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http://thoughcowardsflinch.com/2010/03/08/intl-womens-day-thatcher-the-feminist/