The Iron Lady(a)|英国铁娘子撒切尔夫人

by Rebecca A. Fratzke

"Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope."

Margaret Thatcher is a name history will never forget. She was not only the first and only woman to hold the position of Prime Minister of Britain, but she had held it for the longest continuous amount of time since 1812 as well. Like many politicians, Thatcher's political influences began when she was a child. Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire in 1925, Thatcher looked up to her father, who was active in local politics and the church. He was even the town mayor for a time and raised his children under strict rules. Thatcher did well in school and graduated from Oxford University's Summerville College in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.

Her political career and private life saw huge changes in 1950. She ran in the general elections of 1950 and 1951, but lost both times. However, she was given a lot of attention for being a young female candidate. In 1951, she married Denis Thatcher and gave birth to twins two years later. In that same year, she became a barrister specializing in taxation. Her next great accomplishment was being elected as a Member of Parliament in 1959.

Thatcher continued to be a strong figure in politics, holding different titles and positions. She was making a name for herself and taking risks, which made some love her and others loathe her. Even so, it all paid off in 1979, when Thatcher won the election for Prime Minister and moved her family to 10 Downing Street. One of her most famous speeches was made that day and was a summary of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. Her strong words were broadcast worldwide, marking the start of a new chapter in British history.

英国铁娘子撒切尔夫人

『在冲突之处，愿我们带来和谐；在错谬之处，愿我们带来真理；在疑惑之处，愿我们带来信念；在绝望之处，愿我们带来希望。』

玛格丽特‧撒切尔这个名字必将名留青史。她不仅是英国首位也是唯一的女首相，还是自 1812 年来连续任期最长的首相。和许多政治人物一样，撒切尔的政治影响力在孩提时代就开始发展了。1925年，撒切尔出生于林肯郡的格兰瑟姆，她很尊敬她的父亲，而他一直积极参与地方政治与教会事务。他甚至曾获选为镇长，而且管教子女甚严。撒切尔的学业成绩优秀，于 1947 年毕业于牛津大学的桑姆维尔学院，获得化学理学士学位。

她的政治生涯与个人生活在 1950 年经历剧烈变化。她在 1950和 1951 年参加大选，但 2 次都没选上。然而，这位年轻的女候选人得到了许多关注。1951年，她嫁给了丹尼斯‧撒切尔，2年后生下双胞胎。同年，她成为专精税务的出庭律师。她的下一个伟大成就，就是在 1959 年当选国会议员。

接下来撒切尔持续活跃于政坛，拥有不同的头衔与职位。她声名远播，以敢冒险著称，有人因此爱她，也有人因此恨她。即便如此，这一切于 1979 年开花结果：她于该年赢得首相的选举，举家迁到唐宁街 10 号（编按：英国首相的官邸）。她有篇最著名的演讲就是在当天发表的，内容是圣方济和平祷词的摘要。她措词铿锵有力，随着广播放送到全世界，也为英国历史写下新页。