Thursday, December 27, 2007

Benazir Bhutto a Woman of Substance


Benazir was born in Karachi in 1953, attended both Radcliffe and Oxford obtaining degrees in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. On December 2, 1988 she was sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to head the government of an Islamic state. Her goal was to transform Pakistan through health care, social, and education reforms.


During her lifetime she survived numerous assignation attempts and nearly 6 years in prison or detention. Benazir Bhutto wanted to change Islamic society by bringing an end to the divisions within Pakistani society, namely by reducing discrimination between men and women. It was a goal that never came to fruition due to opposition from other parties.


She was a thorn in the side of Muslim extremists and terrorists everywhere.


In 1988, I was 21 years old, newly married and ready to take on the world, or at least keep my job and pay my rent. Benazir Bhutto was one of many women that I admired for having the guts to take on their world and try to change it. In my heart I always wanted to be that type of woman, not that I am. I think I lack their drive, their bravery, their ambition.


Benazir was martyred at 6:16pm Pakistani time. She was 55 years old.

3 comments:

TJ Brown said...

You, too, are a woman of substance and you have much to offer the world.
Teri

Patti said...

you have offered the world your part just as she has...

Patti said...

you have offered the world your part just as she has...