“No woman in my time will be prime minister or chancellor or foreign secretary – not the top jobs. Anyway, I wouldn’t want to be prime minister; you have to give yourself 100 percent.”
- October 13, 1925 – April 8, 2013
- British
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Politician, “The Iron Lady”
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Quote
“No woman in my time will be prime minister or chancellor or foreign secretary – not the top jobs. Anyway, I wouldn’t want to be prime minister; you have to give yourself 100 percent.”
Explanation
This quote captures an early and candid moment in Margaret Thatcher’s career when she voiced skepticism about the political opportunities available to women—ironically, before she would go on to become Britain’s first female Prime Minister. At the time, her remark reflected the prevailing social and institutional barriers that made it seem nearly impossible for women to attain the highest offices in government. It also reveals a personal hesitation, acknowledging the total dedication required by leadership, which she initially claimed she didn’t desire.
Thatcher made this statement in the 1960s, long before her rise to the top of British politics in 1979. Her eventual success stands as a dramatic rebuttal to her own prediction, illustrating both her evolution and the breaking of gender barriers through merit, conviction, and ambition. Once in power, she not only gave herself “100 percent,” but became one of the most influential political leaders of the 20th century, redefining what was possible for women in public life.
Today, the quote serves as both a humble admission of doubt and a powerful example of transformation. It reminds us that even those who achieve greatness may once have questioned their path or internalized society’s limitations. Thatcher’s journey from doubt to dominance is a testament to how determination and opportunity can overturn even our deepest assumptions—about others, and about ourselves.
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