Today, Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, was assassinated—an event that has shaken leaders all over the world. Bhutto was a strong female leader, one who was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in, even when doing so was dangerous.
Like Bhutto, Elizabeth I lived with the constant threat of assassination, yet she managed to be an effective and inspirational leader, despite the fact that many people did not believe that a woman could successfully lead a nation. Elizabeth said:
“I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king. . . . I myself will take up arms—I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.”
Elizabeth would undoubtedly have felt a kinship with Bhutto, who broke barriers and proved that a woman could be a great leader even in a political system that tends to be dominated by men.
2 Comments
This is a good post.
Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great both understood that they had to do twice what any male ruler would do to prove themselves. Thus, Elizabeth stood by the shore waiting for the Armada in armor ready to fight for her country. Catherine the Great inoculated herself with small pox, a great risk, to be the precedent for her nation.
IT’s too bad she didn’t pick up arms in defense of our dear Diana.. whom she loathed.