Women & Their Power

Many believe that women and big politics are not compatible, but history shows that this is not true. We present you a brief overview of the most important female figures in Policy 20 and 21 centuries from the online version of the magazine TIME.

Indira Gandhi, India.

She was a true daughter of the country, brought up and his people and his father, who was the first Prime Minister of India after years of British rule.. Cover of TIME magazine soon after its election in January of 1966 reads: "The poor of India in women's hands." These hand held India in the next decades through many tests: an economic downturn, famine, India's first test of an atomic bomb, civil war in neighboring Pakistan, and education (with Indira), a new state - Bangaladesh.


Margaret Thatcher, United Kingdom.

Also known Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher was a woman of high principles, short patience and a fan of whiskey. A housewife from the outskirts into one of the most influential women in the world, and ruled the country from 1979 to 1990, Thatcher became the first woman prime minister in Europe, and the first British permerom, elected for three consecutive terms. During his 11 years in power it has increased the share of private capital and led to the grave the Soviet Union. Thatcher is as for their personal qualities, and for the achievements in the state field, the most popular British politician after Winston Churchill.


Shirimavo Bandaranaike, Sri Lanka.

Fifty years ago Shirimavo Bandaranaike became the first woman in the foreseeable history - the head of government. Her victory is so overwhelmed by all that no one knew how to correctly call. "We need to invent a new word" - wrote the London Evening News the next day after Shirimavo elected Prime Minister of Ceylon (then called Sri Lanka). "What's her name? - Regent? "Bandaranaike led the party after the death of her husband, who was slain by a Buddhist monk in 1959 after winning her party in 1960, she took the reins in his hands and rules until 1965. After that she became prime minister twice - from 1970 to 1977 and from 1994 to 2000. Her daughter was the first-ever woman president in 1994, she appointed her mother prime minister for the last time (it should be noted that this appointment was rather a tribute of respect). Shirimavo resigned in April 2000 and died in the same year.


Corazon Aquino, Philippines

After the death of her charismatic husband, pious Catholic widow Corazon Aquino won the people's love and overthrew the dictatorial regime, who was involved in the murder of her husband. Millions of people took to the streets, and in February 1986 Aquino became president. After crushing the attempts of several military coups, Aquino saved democracy in the country - something for which killed her husband. In 1986, Corazon Aquino, was named "Man of the Year" by magazine TIME - the first woman after the Queen Elizabeth 2, has suffered such an honor.


Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan.

Descendant of an influential Pakistani dynasty, Benazir Bhutto went into politics after his father, and died. Young and beautiful, she clearly stood out from the male Pakistani political establishment. Benazir led the country as prime minister from 1988 to 1990 and from 1993 to 1996, and both times was dismissed from office by the President because of corruption charges which she vehemently denied. Benazir was assassinated in 2007, when the country was ruled by a military junta. The current President of Pakistan is her husband, who was also accused of fraud.


Angela Merkel, Germany's Angela.

Merkel - an exceptional phenomenon in German politics: the first female chancellor, also grew up in communist East Germany, as well as the youngest chancellor in history. Its underrated on the continuation of decades, but it is not broken. "I myself have never underestimated himself" - she said in an interview with TIME in January 2010 "There is nothing wrong with ambition, and ambition." She took office in late 2005, and 100 days after the poll showed that it is the most popular chancellor of all German history.

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia

In April 2006, First Lady Laura Bush America responded to Ellen as "a woman who did not stop working for the good of their country." "Her courage and dedication inspires me and women around the world," said Mrs. Bush magazine TIME. Johnson-Sirleaf, started her career with the membership of the Council of Ministers in 1970, then in the 90's became a senior administrator of the UN, and in 2006 was elected president of Liberia - the first woman president in Africa. She had to sum up years of civil war in the country. Allen vowed to fight corruption and build a brighter future of the country. George W. Bush presented her with a 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Laura Bush said: "Johnson-Sirleaf - a good example of what can happen if the girls get a good education."


Golda Meir, Israel


Called acute languages "the only guy in the Cabinet" Golda Meir was a formidable and odious figure in Israeli politics. Tall, lean, sharp and decisive, it has become for the world's epitome of the Jewish stubbornness. "There are a variety of women - she said once - that did not allow husbands to overshadow much of the horizon". After a brilliant political career, including as Minister of Labour and Minister of Foreign Affairs and several other senior positions, she went to bed, but had returned to politics in the age of 70 years and led the country as prime minister from 1969 to 1974.