Born: May 3, 1898 (Kyiv, Russian Empire – present-day Ukraine)
Died: 1978
Biography:
Golda Meir (born Golda Mabovitch) was an Israeli politician who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974. She was not only Israel’s first and only female head of government but also the first and only female head of government in the Middle East. In fact, she was the fourth elected female head of government or state in the world. Known as the Iron Lady of Israeli politics, Meir was renowned for her down-to-earth nature and compelling oratory skills.
Born on May 3, 1898, in Kyiv, in the Russian Empire (present-day Ukraine), Golda Meir immigrated to Wisconsin, United States, as a child with her family in 1906. She completed her education at Milwaukee State Normal School and began her career as a teacher. During her time in Milwaukee, she developed a strong affinity for the Labor Zionist movement.
In 1921, Meir and her husband made the decision to emigrate to Mandatory Palestine, where they settled in the kibbutz called Merhavia. In her new home, Meir became the kibbutz’s representative to the Histadrut, the General Federation of Jewish Labor. Her dedication and contributions earned her a position on the executive committee of the trade union in 1934. She held various important roles within the Jewish Agency during the Second World War.
In 1946, following the arrest of Moshe Sharett and other leading figures in the Yishuv by British authorities, Golda Meir took on the role of acting head of the Political Department of the Jewish Agency. It was a challenging time, and her strong leadership qualities shone through as she navigated the difficult political landscape.
A significant event in Meir’s life came in 1948 when she became one of the signatories of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. This historic moment marked the establishment of the State of Israel and cemented Meir’s involvement in the creation of a nation.
Continuing her political career, Meir was elected to the Knesset in 1949 and served as Labor Minister until 1956. It was in 1956 that she was appointed as the Foreign Minister by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Meir exhibited great diplomacy and played a pivotal role in representing Israel on the global stage during her tenure.
Meir’s ministry came to an end in 1966 due to health issues. However, her contribution to Israeli politics was far from over. In 1969, following the death of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir assumed the role of Prime Minister. Her term was marked by numerous diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving peace in the Middle East.
The outbreak of the Yom Kippur War in 1973 caught Israel off guard and inflicted severe early losses. This unexpected and devastating event led to public anger, which, in turn, tarnished Meir’s reputation. An inquiry into the failings of the Israel Defense Forces was launched as a result. Furthermore, Meir’s Alignment coalition failed to secure a majority in the subsequent legislative election, leading her to resign from her position in 1974. She was succeeded by Yitzhak Rabin as the next Prime Minister of Israel.
Golda Meir passed away in 1978 after battling lymphoma. She was laid to rest on Mount Herzl, leaving behind an enduring legacy. Her unwavering dedication to her country and her visionary leadership made her an icon in Israeli and global politics.
Awards:
– 1970: Time magazine’s Woman of the Year
– 1975: Franklin Roosevelt Freedom from Want Medal