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Golda Meir

Golda Meir served as the Prime Minister of Israel for five years.

Golda Meir


 California Standard 2.3.2 Describe the ways in which groups and nations interact with one another to try to resolve problems in such areas as trade, cultural contacts, treaties, diplomacy, and military force. 

Golda Meir was born in Russia. She moved to the United States with her family when she was eight years old. As a young woman, she and her husband moved to Palestine. She worked for many years to help create the state of Israel, a goal that was achieved in 1948. In 1956, she took the Hebrew word Meir as her last name which means "burn brightly."

The lands of Palestine and Israel have a long history of conflict. Golda Meir devoted her life to creating a safe home for the Jewish people and peace for everyone.

 

Try This

Golda Meir was a remarkable leader. She was Prime Minister of Israel at a time when it was not common for women to hold government positions. What qualities do you think it takes to make a great leader? Which of those qualites do you have?

Find out about other women leaders.

The Big Picture

Learn more about Israel's government.

Primary Sources

Read and listen to the Declaration of Independence that Golda Meir signed in 1948 to establish the state of Israel.