Golda Meir was the strongest, bravest, influential and pioneering woman in her field. She is on my Role Model Women list.
The Diary of an Artist - blog 0011 by Marina Manukian - Illustrated portrait of Golda Meir
A few days ago I attended an art fair in Jerusalem and met many visitors with diverse opinions. This is not my first time at the fair, but it was the first time I introduced the women I drew with their quotes for inspiration.
The Diary of an Artist - Marina Manukian's blog 0011 - Golda Meir
One visitor dwelled on the magnet in which Golda Meir appears with the quote, "I don't know if women are better than men, but they're definitely not bad." And he asked me if that was all she (Golda Meir) had to say?
Who was a Golda Meir?
Golda Meir was the first woman who has become a prime minister of Israel. In fact, to this day, she is the only woman who has been in this position. She did and said many things. I invite you to look for what else she has done for the State of Israel. Because there were many things.
Many people remember and blame her for the Yom Kippur War, as does the man I met at the fair. We had a long conversation that made me write this article and explain to you why Golda Meir is the Role Model for me.
Why Golda Meir is a Role Model Women?
1. Golda Meir is the first woman who served as Prime Minister in Israel. I admire the fact that she was the first. Unfortunately, there were no other women at that role after her, and my hope is that in the next elections we, the women, will have a new representative.
2. She was not alone in the campaign during the Yom Kippur War. She had male advisers with military experience who collapsed from the stress of the war, while Golda Meir (despite being ill with cancer) continued with complete clarity and alertness to conduct the war. She hardly broke. Her breakdown came after the war, when she chose to resign.
I saw these facts in Danny Kushmero's film "Golda Diaries - Allowed for Publication" on Channel 12. The film was based on the book "The Day Will Come and They Will Open the Archives" by Hagai Soref and Meir Boimfeld, edited by Efrat Mass.
3. Golda Meir took responsibility and resigned from her position. In my opinion, only a woman can take responsibility for something that others have done. Did men in the same position take responsibility for their actions and resign?
How do most illustrators present Golda Meir?
How do most illustrators present Golda Meir? With a cigarette in hand. Why does it bother me? My Golda, in my painting, without a cigarette, with hair scattered. I present her in a feminine way, and in my opinion, you haven't seen her that way yet. Please, stop presenting Golda Meir with a cigarette in her hand, because smoking is harmful to health.
I want to answer the man I met at the fair that women are better than men, but I will be as humble as Golda Meir and continue to quote her: "I don't know if women are better than men, but they're definitely not bad."
Did you find more quotes by Golda Meir that refer to the status of women with positive motivation? Write them in the comments.
For more details about the illustrated portrait of Golda Meir click here