Margaret Thatcher named most influential woman of all time

A NEW poll has named former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as the most influential woman of all time.

By EMMA O’NEILL Tuesday, 1st December 2015, 10:11 am

Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher voted most influential woman

Mrs Thatcher was also voted the most influential woman in Scottish politics in 200 years.

But in Scotland overall, Marie Curie came in at number one in the overall spot with 29 per cent - with Mrs Thatcher being demoted to second place.

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The survey of 2,000 respondents - conducted by Opinium on behalf of Scottish Widows - considered the women who have had the greatest influence across politics and world affairs, journalism and broadcasting, and science and technology. In the UK-wide poll Mrs Thatcher beat the Queen to be named as the most influential woman of all time.

Queen Elizabeth II (Photo by Toby Melville -Pool/Getty Images)

Marie Curie was voted the most influential woman in science and technology from the past 200 years.

She was the first ever woman to teach at the esteemed Sorbonne institute in Paris, and received two Nobel Prizes – one for Physics in 1903 and a second for Chemistry in 1911.

Her research was vital in the development of x-rays in surgery. During World War One Curie helped to kit out ambulances with x-ray equipment, which she then drove herself as part of the war effort.

Also making the list is aviation trailblazer Amelia Earhart, who was named the most influential sportswomen.

Suzannah Lipscomb, historian and author, said: “To many people Marie Curie represents not only the first, but one of the most significant female scientists, one whose contribution has proved enduring and been recognised by the Nobel committee.

“I imagine that many women who have been most influential in science and technology don’t have name recognition – their work has gone unrecognised, under the radar.”

Also making the Scottish list was Rosa Parks - who 60-years-ago today refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus to a young, white male.

She was subsequently arrested, due to the Jim Crow segregation laws in the South. This is widely regarded as one of the main triggers for the Civil Rights movement in America.

Emmeline Pankhurst, one of the figureheads of the Sufragette movement, also made the list - perhaps in association with the popularity of the new Suffragette film.

TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN ACROSS SCOTLAND

1. Marie Curie (29 per cent)

2. Margaret Thatcher (24 per cent)

3. Emmeline Pankhurst (17 per cent)

4. Queen Elizabeth II (16 per cent)

5. Mother Theresa (14 per cent)

6. Florence Nightingale (11 per cent)

7. Diana, Princess of Wales (11 per cent)

8. Rosa Parks (11 per cent)

9. Angela Merkel (8 per cent)