This case traces the rise of Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a shopkeeper, from a small industrial town in England to the longest-serving leader in the Western world. The case describes how she became interested in politics at an early age, attended Oxford, and worked diligently to achieve her goals. Along the way, she had to overcome obstacles both as a woman and a conservative. The case also describes how she balanced her roles as prime minister, wife, and mother, and why she was called the "Iron Lady." Students will learn how Margaret Thatcher navigated life's choices to leave a lasting impact on the world.