Golda Meir, born Golda Mabovitch on May 3, 1898, in Kyiv, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire), was an Israeli politician and one of the founders of the State of Israel. She was the fourth Prime Minister of Israel, serving from March 17, 1969, to June 3, 1974. Known as the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics long before the term was associated with Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir was a prominent leader whose legacy continues to influence Israeli society and politics.

Meir's family faced severe anti-Semitic violence in Kyiv, prompting them to emigrate to the United States in 1906, where they settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, she attended public schools and demonstrated an early passion for social justice and political activism. As a teenager, she joined the Milwaukee Labor Zionist Party, where she was inspired by Zionist ideals and socialist principles. Golda later attended the Milwaukee State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee), where she trained to become a teacher.

In 1921, Golda and her husband, Morris Meyerson, immigrated to Palestine, then under British Mandate, and joined a kibbutz called Merhavia. Life on the kibbutz was physically demanding, but it deepened her commitment to Zionist ideals and Jewish statehood. She later moved to Jerusalem and became involved in labor organizing, eventually becoming a prominent figure in the Histadrut, Israel's General Federation of Labor.

Golda's political career gained momentum in the 1930s and 1940s as she played a pivotal role in fundraising for Jewish causes and lobbying for the establishment of a Jewish homeland. During this time, she worked tirelessly to support Jewish immigration to Palestine, especially in the aftermath of the Holocaust. When the State of Israel was declared in 1948, Golda was among the signatories of Israel's Declaration of Independence.

After Israel's establishment, Meir became the country's first ambassador to the Soviet Union and later served as Minister of Labor and National Insurance from 1949 to 1956. As Minister of Labor, she was instrumental in developing Israel's infrastructure and housing programs to accommodate the influx of Jewish immigrants. From 1956 to 1966, she served as Israel's Foreign Minister, during which she worked to strengthen Israel's international relations, particularly with African and Asian nations.

In 1969, following the death of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir was chosen as his successor. As Prime Minister, she faced significant challenges, including tensions with neighboring Arab countries and the ongoing threat of war. Her tenure was marked by the Yom Kippur War of 1973, a surprise attack by a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria. Although Israel ultimately prevailed, the war revealed lapses in intelligence and preparedness, leading to widespread criticism of Meir's government. In 1974, she resigned as Prime Minister, citing health issues and the political fallout from the war.

Golda Meir passed away on December 8, 1978, at the age of 80. Her life and career continue to inspire debates about leadership, gender, and the complexities of Israeli history. She remains one of Israel's most iconic figures and is remembered for her tenacity, dedication to Zionism, and role in shaping the young nation.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golda_Meir