Lady Margaret Thatcher Delivers Nova Series Speech to Capacity Crowd- Page 1 of 1

Lady Margaret Thatcher Delivers Nova Series Speech to Capacity Crowd

A capacity crowd of 1,000 people gathered at the Christian Center Auditorium on September 20 to hear former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher address global politics and socioeconomic issues.

Lady Thatcher was the inaugural speaker for the Millsaps Nova Series, an annual event that promises to bring internationally recognized figures to campus. The “Iron Lady” spoke for nearly an hour, displaying her characteristic wit and directness.

“Always take the lead and make your views known,” she told students in the audience. “Leaders can’t hang back.”

When asked about how she was received by male parliament members as the first female prime minister, she replied with a smile. “I think they were more afraid of me than I was of them.”

She credited President Ronald Reagan with for ensuring the end of communism in the former U.S.S.R. and praised the United States for contributing to greater economic and political stability in the world. But she condemned the U.S. for its divorce rate. “It is easier to get the economy right than to cure a behavorial problem, and you have a behavorial problem.” The daughter of a Methodist minister, she stated that churchgoers are more likely to stay married and encouraged church attendance.

In her introduction of Lady Thatcher, President Frances Lucas-Taucher called her “a woman of great intellect who has had a profound impact on the world, a woman of vision who was willed herself to succeed.”

In addition to the packed auditorium, Millsaps broadcast the program live to the 450-seat recital hall and all residence halls. The Millsaps community, elected officials, and the public attended the program.

Prior to the Nova program, Lady Thatcher held a private question-and-answer session with 60 students. “Her being here shows Millsaps that she cares about Americans and American higher education in general,” said freshman Jared Eastlack of Sewell, New Jersey.

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