Golda Meir

She married Morris Meyerson, a sign painter in 1917 and the couple had two children. The marriage however fell apart as Golda became increasingly involved in her political career. The couple never divorced though.

She was diagnosed with lymphoma during the 1960s. She took over the position of the Prime Minister in spite of her failing health. She resigned as the Prime Minister in 1974 and died in 1978 of the disease.

She was born to Blume Neiditch and Moshe Mabovitch in the Russian Empire. Her father was a carpenter. She had two surviving sisters and several other siblings who died in childhood. She was very close to her sister Sheyna.

Her father went to the U.S. in 1903 to find work. After saving some money he arranged for his family to join him after some years.

Golda attended the Fourth Street Grade School from 1906 to 1912 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a very capable student who displayed extraordinary leadership qualities for her young age. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.

She went to North Division High School when she was 14 and also worked part time. She was pressurized by her mother to drop out and marry. Not willing to do so, she traveled alone to Denver to live with her sister Sheyna and her husband.

She continued her schooling and graduated in 1915. During this time she also became an active member of Young Poale Zion, The Labor Zionist youth movement.

She began her career as a teacher in Milwaukee public schools by taking up a position at a Yiddish-speaking Folks Schule. During her stint here she became more attracted towards the ideals of Labor Zionism.

She married Morris Meyerson and left her job to join a kibbutz in Palestine in 1921. In the kibbutz her duties included planting trees, picking almonds and running the kitchen. She was a capable woman who managed all her responsibilities well.

She was chosen by the kibbutz as the representative to the Histadrut, the General Federation of Labour. After taking a short break to raise her kids, she returned to the Histadrut in 1928 and was elected the secretary of its Council for Women Workers.

She was leading a very active public life by the 1930s. She joined the Executive Committee of the Histadrut and was soon heading its political department.

The British Government cracked down on the Zionist movement in Palestine in June 1946 which resulted in the arrest of several leaders of the Yishuv. She became the acting head of the Political Department of the Jewish Agency and acted as the main negotiator between Palestinian Jews and the British Mandatory authorities.

Golda Meir was a prominent Israeli politician who was elected as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel after serving as the Minister of Labour and Foreign Minister. She was Israel’s first female Prime Minister and was known as the ‘Iron Lady’ for her strong determination and character. She had also signed the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May, 1948 along with 23 other members.