In 1970, the feminist, national organization for women (NOW) published a poster of the fourth and to this day the only female Prime Minister of Israel. The caption under the image, ‘But Can She Type?’ whimsically underscores women’s adoration for Golda Meir’s groundbreaking victory. In a new biography The Only Woman in the Room, author Pnina Lahav posits Meir was a superb role model who achieved unparalleled heights in a “man’s world.” However, Lahav asserts Meir was not a feminist who elevated other women to enter politics.
Golda Mabovitvch became an “American girl” when her family left Ukraine for Milwaukee. With limited horizons for women “Goldie” aspired to become, a teacher but education held no value for her parents. Her father advised, “It doesn’t pay to be a clever girl.” Barely completing high-school, Golda saw her destiny lay in British-Mandated Kibbutz, Merhavia. Its egalitarian ethos, “to erase all class, age and gender” was Golda’s allure to move to the Yishuv—the pre-state Israel. Once there Golda immersed herself in Zionist, socialist organizations.
The contradiction between theory and practice became evident, even on the Kibbutz, where women continued to prepare food and care for the children. Upon arrival Meir was assigned “kitchen duty,” given a broom and asked to clean the floor. Gendered division of labor became more obvious when Meir had to bulldoze her way into “gender-based” misogynist, political organizations-- Poalei Zion and Histadrut. In Israeli politics, Meir was, as Lahav’s book title suggests, The Only Woman in the Room.
Married with two children, Meir was not content to ride “the mommy track.” Lahav asserts Meir placed party needs” above everything asking herself, “Is there something wrong with me?” Her marriage dissolved as Meir continued to nurture nation-building over matrimony. Her ascent into national politics brought about the creation of the Zionist Jewish state.
Lahav acknowledges Meir’s political miscalculation, a compromise with Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan, led to the tragic first days of the Yom Kippur War but lauds Meir’s overall political legacy, in particular Meir’s progressive social reforms. The National Insurance Law, Golda’s project benefited equally both genders. Lahav alleges once having gained political leverage, Meir made scant effort to encourage other women’s political aspirations. Meir labeled the women’s lib movement, “bra burning crazies” and intervened to keep Shulamit Aloni, a “declared feminist” out of the Knesset. As Prime Minister, Meir chose an all-male cabinet.
Lovingly referenced as “grandmother of a nation” Meir, unquestionably an alpha female, shattered the proverbial “glass ceiling.” Lahav makes a strong case, Meir did not assist other women to escape their traditional roles, through its narrow and jagged opening.
