Why is Golda Meir an icon for woman power?

       Golda Meir was one of the founders of Israel, and the most prominent woman politician of her era. Her childhood in Russia was a time of severe poverty. Her father left for America to try to make a better life for his family, and settled in Milwaukee. Three years later, the rest of the family followed, when Golda was 8 years old.

       When Golda was 19, she married Morris Meyerson, and they immigrated to Palestine. In 1928, she was offered the job of secretary of Histadrut’s Council for Women workers. Golda moved quickly up the political ranks, and during World War II, she held key posts in the World Zionist Organization.

       When the state of Israel was established in 1948, a vast amount of money was needed to equip the army to defend the new Jewish state from attacking Arab nations. Golda volunteered to go to the United States to raise money. She was so successful with her speeches in establishing an emotional link between the U.S. Jewish community and Israel that she returned with $ 50 million dollars.

       Golda Meir was a signer of the Israeli Proclamation of Independence on May 1948. In her first position, she was appointment as the Israeli envoy to Russia.

       In 1956, Golda Meir became Israeli foreign minister, the second-highest position in the government. She was chosen to be Prime Minister in national elections, at age 71. Golda Meir began her term as Prime Minister after Israel’s stunning victory in the Six-Day War of 1967. She overcame many personal hardships because she was a woman. As a child, she fought with her parents to continue her education, and as a married woman, she made a difficult choice between her family and her career, making her an icon for the feminist cause.