Dear readers in the US and Europe (especially the UK), for the next few moments please let’s not worry about what our political views may be about Margaret Thatcher, whether we like or dislike her or if we agreed then or now with her politics, but let’s look at Margaret as a female. In the move ‘The Iron Lady’, Meryl Streep does a superb job playing the role of Margaret Thatcher, the only female Prime Minister in the UK politics.

Perhaps the reason that so many of us remember Margaret’s politics is that she was had great resolve, determination and did not play to win the votes of the politicians, rather to do what she thought needed to be done. Right or wrong.

Again, removing the political veil from this discussion, it means she was a woman of strong resolve! Also, let’s remove the hollywoodization element, which perhaps may make Margaret Thatcher seem different than she is in the movie. We are only talking about facts here. Her election, the climate of female politicians in the UK then and now and the global scene. All facts. She did all that while being a mother as well.

Here are some thoughts that I want to share with you:

• She came from nothing (a shop owner’s daughter), determined to graduate from Oxford, to enter the political scene not only as the ONLY woman, but she was also not a privileged woman (She was not groomed nor did she come from the ‘right’ class).
• She did not let the norm stop her from her dreams, rather she was driven with what she felt needed to be done.
• Executed on her decisions with passion, even when not popular.
• Never allowed her ‘gender’ to stop her or did she use the woman ‘trump card’!

In essence, she is a rare example of a ‘person’ doing the best job they feel they can do, vs a ‘woman’ assigned to the task. In addition, it was extremely difficult to enter the political scene without the political heritage to pull you through the hard times.

How is it that she survived her role for a decade and the same men-populated political arena accepted and respected her as the longest running Prime Minister?

Here we are, nearly 30 years after she became PM and perhaps broke the so called glass ceiling, with only a handful of women top CEOs. Single digit women board members, women generally not in a position of power and dismal statistics. How is it that Maggie survived through a system that was extremely unprepared and unforgiving, yet decades later we are still asking the same question and have the same issues? During the last election we almost had a chance for a female President and clearly have many capable women in politics, but, are they where they should be? Do we have enough women leaders around the world?

Why are we still asking the same questions?

My current thinking (and would love to hear from you) is that we set and maintain the boundaries for our own success. When she got fed up with things not being done, she ran for the job and became PM. She did not stop and analyze the politics of her gender. I am sure that would have stopped her. So firstly, we make the bed we sleep in and we DO have control.

Secondly, her father showed her that passion is what is crucial, not privilege. She had a great role model who believed in her. Do all women have such role models? And thirdly, as women we should stop waiting for affirmation and praise and focus more at the task at hand.

I see phenomenal number of highly talented women who are not in the positions which they could and deserve to be in. What would happen if these women just went for it!??? If they thought less and did not take no for an answer?!

Whatever our political view, I propose that all women see this movie as it bring up a lot of issues which are hugely relevant today as they were then.

So, I say: Just do it! Let’s just do it.

Linda Bernardi is an author, provocateur and strategist, entrepreneur, lecturer and investor. Her technology strategy firm , StraTerra Partners, since 2009 has been engaged with large enterprises and in her role as strategic advisor, Linda advises and works with clients in major changes in innovation strategy and adoption of new innovations. Starting Feb 2012, Linda’s book ProVoke will be the textbook offered at University of Washington MBA program and Linda will be teaching the course titled: Disruption Innovation & Innovation-based Leadership' to the 2nd year MBA students.