Lady Thatcher to speak at YSU

Lady Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, will be speaker for Youngstown State University’s annual Skeggs Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m. April 3 in Edward W. Powers Auditorium.

Her topic, “Challenges Facing the 21st Century,” will focus on tasks facing the United States and Europe, the rise of the Asian Pacific and the maintenance and extension of free trade and military threats from rogue states. She also will discuss the political, economic, scientific and social factors that have shaped this century.

Mrs. Thatcher served more than 11 years, from 1979-1990, as Britain’s first female prime minister. While in office, her achievements included helping reverse Britain’s economic decline by concentrating on achieving sound public finances. Mrs. Thatcher also undertook reforming trade union law, cutting tax rates and privatizing state-owned industries.

In addition to political achievements, in 1990 she was awarded Order the Merit by Queen Elizabeth. In 1992 Mrs. Thatcher was elevated to the House of Lords to become Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven. In 1995, she was made a member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The alumna of Somerville College, Oxford, England, began her political career in 1959 when elected to the House of Commons as a Member of Finchley. In 1961, she became parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.

From 1964-1970, while the Conservatives were in opposition, Mrs. Thatcher was a front-bench spokesperson for her party. She also served as a member of the Shadow Cabinet. When the Conservatives returned to office in 1970, she was appointed secretary of state for education and science and was made a privy counselor.

After the general election in 1974, she was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet and became Opposition front-bench spokesperson, and in 1975, she was elected Conservative party leader.

Since resigning in 1990, Mrs. Thatcher has written two books, “The Downing Street Years” and “The Path to Power.” In 1998, “Margaret Thatcher — The Collected Speeches” was published. She also is the former chancellor at both Buckingham University in England; and College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

Lecture tickets will be available to Youngstown State employees and the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 20 and 21 in Kilcawley Center’s Bytes and Pieces on campus.

A maximum of four tickets will be given to each person.

Information: (330) 742-3119.

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