Maggie Thatcher...

[LovetoGiveRoses]

Iron Lady blues

"In 1979, Margaret Thatcher was appointed British Prime Minister, the first and only woman to ever lead a major western democracy. Mrs. Thatcher served as prime minister for more than 11 years (1979-90), a record unmatched in the 20th century. ...

"The world of women's studies, to put it simply, does not like Margaret Thatcher. At all. You don't have to look any farther than their textbooks to see that.

"In a report on women's-studies introductory textbooks, Christine Stolba ... found that three of the five most popular texts don't even bother to mention Margaret Thatcher.

"At the same time, the texts are more than happy to educate students on liberal leaders such as Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, [Rep.] Barbara Jordan or Democratic First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton.

"But Mrs. Thatcher? Nada. Zip. Zero.

"Now how can this be? After all, women's studies exists — supposedly — because the traditional curriculum has ignored women and women's achievements. ...

"So why leave out Thatcher?

"Answer: She's not the right kind of role model.

"You see, women's studies is not about women. It's about women who are feminists."

— Heather Koerner, writing on "Defining Women," Thursday in Boundless at www.boundless.org

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

I thought well of Ms. Thatcher. What do you think? Should she be ignored?

 

[LadyG]

I think the Iron Lady was awesome, but she managed her role as Prime Minister as well as being a wife and mother, that's where the feminist dislike comes in.

She made no secret of the fact that her husband was her rock and that her marriage was of number one importance to her.

I'd rather her than mealy mouthed Blair anyday.

 

[Gord]

I thought well of Ms. Thatcher. What do you think? Should she be ignored?

I think the UK is pretty well split on her - it is the old cliche - you either love her or hate her !

There is no doubt that she had a profound affect on the UK .

Some see her as the saviour of Britain in that she cleaned up the Unions - and helped steer UK in to he 90's with a sound economy etc. Others see her as the person who destroyed the UK manufacturing base by letting the market take its course and not propping up our manufacturers.

I think she did drag UK screaming into the 80's / 90's and did help modernise a lot of out dated companys and practices.

I think she deserves better press than she gets -