We were saddened to learn of the passing of Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  A staunch conservative and defender of personal and economic liberty, Thatcher was somewhat warily nicknamed “The Iron Lady” by a Soviet journalist.  Her supporters embraced this moniker as a tribute to her unwavering principles and her steadfast commitment to freedom.

Through her foundation, she was a generous financial supporter of the first TFAS educational program in Europe, the American Institute on Political and Economic Systems in Prague.  She believed strongly in the program, which was created in response to the fall of the Soviet Union and the need for young people in Eastern Europe to be educated in the principles of freedom and free markets.

Says TFAS President Roger Ream:  “When I met with Lady Thatcher at Westminster, she observed that, ‘Women are like tea bags.  You never know how strong they are until they get into hot water.’ Lady Thatcher demonstrated her remarkable strength throughout her career, whether it was facing down militant labor unions and restoring the British economy, opposing the communist threat in Europe, or protecting British sovereignty in the Falklands. We were proud to have her support for TFAS.”

All of us at TFAS offer our condolences to the Thatcher family, with deep appreciation for the legacy of freedom that she leaves behind.