TODAY IN HISTORY: Golda Meir Becomes Israel’s Prime Minister (March 7, 1969)

On March 7, 1969, Golda Meir made history by becoming Israel’s first female Prime Minister, at a time when women in leadership positions were still a rarity worldwide. Known for her strength and resilience, Meir was a key figure in the establishment of Israel and had already made her mark as one of the 24 signatories of Israel’s Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. The very next day, Israel faced the combined military forces of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Transjordan, and Iraq in the Israeli War of Independence.

David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, famously referred to her as “the only man in the Cabinet,” acknowledging her toughness in a male-dominated political environment. Despite early doubts from critics who saw her as a temporary leader until a man could take over, Meir defied expectations. She won Israel’s general election in October 1969 and again in 1973, demonstrating her lasting influence.

Meir’s tenure as Prime Minister saw the country through some of its most challenging events, including the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Although she resigned in 1974, her legacy as a pioneering leader endured. Golda Meir passed away in 1978, leaving behind a profound impact on Israel and the role of women in global leadership.