Women Who Lead
In Women Who Lead, explore the experiences of female leaders like Margaret Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Bachelet. Thatcher believes her success came from her abilities, and doesn't focus on being a woman, though some critics say she didn’t create paths for other women. Clinton faced criticism for not emphasizing women’s rights in her 2008 presidential campaign, while Bachelet highlights the challenges women face in conservative countries, where they must confront prejudice to lead. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do you think Margaret Thatcher emphasized ability rather than gender in her rise to power?
A: Margaret Thatcher wanted to highlight that her success was due to her skills and leadership, not the fact that she was a woman. She felt it was important to prove that women could govern effectively without focusing on gender differences.
Q: How do you think the challenges women leaders face in politics differ from those of their male counterparts?
A: Women leaders often face more criticism and prejudice simply because of their gender. They are sometimes judged more harshly for their decisions, and their leadership can be questioned based on societal beliefs that women should not hold powerful positions, while male leaders may not face these same biases.
Q: In what ways do you think feminism in politics could change the perception of women leaders over time?
A: Feminism in politics could lead to greater acceptance of women in leadership roles, as more women run for office and succeed. It challenges stereotypes and pushes society to recognize women as equally capable of leading as men, which could eventually create more opportunities and support for future female leaders.
More Like This
In Sweden's Feminist Approach to International Relations, Margot Wallström, Sweden's Foreign Minister since 2014, talks about her decision to run a feminist foreign policy. She explains how this policy looks at the world’s problems from a gender perspective, asking whether women have the same rights, representation, and resources as men. Margot shares how growing up in Sweden, one of Europe’s most equal societies, shaped her beliefs in unrestricted hope for the future. She also reflects on the extra scrutiny women face, such as having their appearance commented on, rather than focusing on their work. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Christine Lagarde’s Legacy, learn how Christine Lagarde made history as the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund and now serves as President of the European Central Bank. She shares stories about overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field, including being told she could never become a law firm partner simply because she was a woman. She worked tirelessly while raising two children, later earning their admiration for paving her own way. Lagarde believes that empowering women in finance and leadership will create prosperity for all. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Laleh Seddigh’s Bold Racing Journey, learn about Iran's first female race car driver, who broke barriers by racing against men in a sport traditionally dominated by men. In a society where women are discouraged from participating in sports, Laleh proved women are just as capable. Laleh’s passion for driving started when she was just 11 years old, and her mother remembers catching her behind the wheel of a Buick one day. Now, racing is not just her hobby — it's a career that continues to challenge stereotypes. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In The Female Future Engineers of India, Sue Perkins travels to Patna, India, where she learns about a school helping girls become engineers. These schools, which have grown from three to 18 in just 20 years, are empowering young women to chase big dreams. While the girls share their hopes for the future, they discuss how, despite their education, their parents still have the final say in who they marry. Sue highlights how, over the past couple of decades, these women have gone from staying at home to gaining powerful skills for their careers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which showcases Sue’s journey along the Ganges River, exploring its cultural and spiritual significance in India.
In Sweden's Feminist Approach to International Relations, Margot Wallström, Sweden's Foreign Minister since 2014, talks about her decision to run a feminist foreign policy. She explains how this policy looks at the world’s problems from a gender perspective, asking whether women have the same rights, representation, and resources as men. Margot shares how growing up in Sweden, one of Europe’s most equal societies, shaped her beliefs in unrestricted hope for the future. She also reflects on the extra scrutiny women face, such as having their appearance commented on, rather than focusing on their work. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Christine Lagarde’s Legacy, learn how Christine Lagarde made history as the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund and now serves as President of the European Central Bank. She shares stories about overcoming challenges in a male-dominated field, including being told she could never become a law firm partner simply because she was a woman. She worked tirelessly while raising two children, later earning their admiration for paving her own way. Lagarde believes that empowering women in finance and leadership will create prosperity for all. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In Laleh Seddigh’s Bold Racing Journey, learn about Iran's first female race car driver, who broke barriers by racing against men in a sport traditionally dominated by men. In a society where women are discouraged from participating in sports, Laleh proved women are just as capable. Laleh’s passion for driving started when she was just 11 years old, and her mother remembers catching her behind the wheel of a Buick one day. Now, racing is not just her hobby — it's a career that continues to challenge stereotypes. This video is excerpted from BBC's Her Story — The Female Revolution, which explores the history and impact of women’s rights movements and achievements of women.
In The Female Future Engineers of India, Sue Perkins travels to Patna, India, where she learns about a school helping girls become engineers. These schools, which have grown from three to 18 in just 20 years, are empowering young women to chase big dreams. While the girls share their hopes for the future, they discuss how, despite their education, their parents still have the final say in who they marry. Sue highlights how, over the past couple of decades, these women have gone from staying at home to gaining powerful skills for their careers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Ganges with Sue Perkins, which showcases Sue’s journey along the Ganges River, exploring its cultural and spiritual significance in India.