GOLDA MEIR IN AMERICA

Golda Meir was the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. She was born May 13th, 1898 in Kiev and immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1906. As a child she was drawn toward helping others; she once raised money for classmates who could not afford to purchase textbooks. Her parents were set on her getting married rather than continuing her education, so at age 14 Meir left home and moved in with her sister in a Jewish neighborhood in Denver, Colorado.

During her time in Denver, she attended high school in the day and spent her evenings in the presence of intellectuals- learning about Zionism, women’s suffrage, unionism, and other social causes. Meir’s year in Denver shaped her social and political philosophies.  In her biography, Meir stated, “It was in Denver that my real education began.” 

Meir met her husband, Morris Meyerson, in Denver; they married in 1917.  As committed Labor Zionists, she and her husband moved to Palestine in 1921. In 1969, she was elected Prime Minister of Israel – the only women elected to that position to date. Despite living in Israel, Meir never lost her connection to the U.S., in the 1970’s she was voted “the Most Admired Woman in America.” Golda Meir passed away on December 8th,  1978. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of Israelis and Americans alike.

Black and white photograph of Golda Meir, the Prime Minister of Israel, speaking to HUC-JIR students at Hebrew Union College Biblical and Archaeological School, Jerusalem, Israel, Oct. 13, 1970. HUC PC 387 JER. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, OH.

Black and white photograph of Golda Meir in a robe and seated in front of an Israeli flag. PC-2928. American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, Ohio.