Farewell, Iron Lady

13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013

Politically speaking, there aren’t many things we agree upon, but that in no way diminishes who Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher was…in my book.

Many things have been said about her in life and they will continue now that she’s gone. But if you can’t stop for a moment to recognize what this remarkable woman accomplished in her life, then you are no true fan of history.

Rest in Peace, Baroness.

KEY MOMENTS (from BBC News – Obituary: Margaret Thatcher)

• Born Margaret Roberts on 13 October 1925
• First stood for Parliament in the 1950 election
• Married businessman Denis Thatcher in 1951
• Elected as Conservative MP for Finchley in 1959
• Named education secretary by Ted Heath in 1970
• Defeated Heath in Tory leadership contest in 1975
• Became first female prime minister after Conservative election victory in 1979
• Sends taskforce to regain control of the Falklands Islands in 1982
• Wins landslide election victory in 1983
• Fights year-long battle with mining unions in 1984-5
• Survives IRA bombing of Brighton hotel during 1984 Conservative conference
• Wins third general election victory in 1987
• Resigns after facing leadership challenge in 1990
• Stands down as MP in 1992 and awarded a peerage

Tributes

President Barack Obama

“With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend.  As a grocer’s daughter who rose to become Britain’s first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered.  As prime minister, she helped restore the confidence and pride that has always been the hallmark of Britain at its best.  And as an unapologetic supporter of our transatlantic alliance, she knew that with strength and resolve we could win the Cold War and extend freedom’s promise.

Here in America, many of us will never forget her standing shoulder to shoulder with President Reagan, reminding the world that we are not simply carried along by the currents of history—we can shape them with moral conviction, unyielding courage and iron will.   Michelle and I send our thoughts to the Thatcher family and all the British people as we carry on the work to which she dedicated her life—free peoples standing together, determined to write our own destiny.”

Meryl Streep

“Margaret Thatcher was a pioneer, willingly or unwillingly, for the role of women in politics. It is hard to imagine a part of our current history that has not been affected by measures she put forward in the UK at the end of the 20th century. Her hard-nosed fiscal measures took a toll on the poor, and her hands-off approach to financial regulation led to great wealth for others. There is an argument that her steadfast, almost emotional loyalty to the pound sterling has helped the UK weather the storms of European monetary uncertainty.

But to me she was a figure of awe for her personal strength and grit. To have come up, legitimately, through the ranks of the British political system, class bound and gender phobic as it was, in the time that she did and the way that she did, was a formidable achievement. To have won it, not because she inherited position as the daughter of a great man, or the widow of an important man, but by dint of her own striving. To have withstood the special hatred and ridicule, unprecedented in my opinion, leveled in our time at a public figure who was not a mass murderer; and to have managed to keep her convictions attached to fervent ideals and ideas—wrongheaded or misguided as we might see them now—without corruption—I see that as evidence of some kind of greatness, worthy for the argument of history to settle.”

Nancy Reagan (widow of Former President Ronald Reagan)

“I am terribly saddened today to learn of the death of Margaret Thatcher. The world has lost a true champion of freedom and democracy. It is well known that my husband and Lady Thatcher enjoyed a very special relationship as leaders of their respective countries during one of the most difficult and pivotal periods
in modern history. Ronnie and Margaret were political soul mates, committed to freedom and resolved to end Communism. As Prime Minister, Margaret had the clear vision and strong determination to stand up for her beliefs at a time when so many were afraid to “rock the boat.” As a result, she helped to bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union and the liberation of millions of people.

Ronnie and I knew her as a dear and trusted friend, and I will miss her. The United States knew Margaret as a spirited and courageous ally, and the world owes her a debt of gratitude.

My heart goes out to Mark, Carol and the entire Thatcher family.”

Former President George H.W. Bush

“Margaret was, to be sure, one of the 20th century’s fiercest advocates of freedom and free markets — a leader of rare character who carried high the banner of her convictions, and whose principles in the end helped shape a better, freer world,” said Bush, who was U.S. vice president or president during most of Thatcher’s time as prime minister. “The personal grief we Bushes feel is compounded by the knowledge that America has lost one of the staunchest allies we have ever known; and yet we have confidence that her sterling record of accomplishment will inspire future generations.”

Mikhail Gorbachev

“Margaret Thatcher was a great politician and a bright individual. She will do down in our memory and in history,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who held frequent meetings with Baroness Thatcher at the end of the Cold War.”

BBC coverage on the death of PM Thatcher – Obituary: Margaret Thatcher