"I can honestly say that never in my life have I planned what position I would like to have. I planned to come to Palestine. I planned to go to a kibbutz. And I planned to be in the Labor movement. But what position I would occupy? Never."

Golda Meir was born in Kiev, Russia, May 3, 1898. She immigrated to the United States with her impoverished parents and sisters in 1906. The family settled in Milwaukee where her father worked as a carpenter and her mother ran a small grocery.

Struggling with a new culture and a new language, Golda managed to graduate from 4th Street Elementary School at the top of her class.

An independent and strong-willed girl, she organized the American Young Sisters' Society to raise money for textbooks for poor children. She was 10 at the time. At age 14, she ran away from home to live with her sister in Denver.

Through her sister, Golda was introduced to Zionism, socialism, communism, and lengthy political debates. Her sister also introduced her to Morris Myerson, another Russian émigré.

Golda's parents finally persuaded her to return to Milwaukee by promising that she could attend high school. She set her sights on becoming a school teacher. At age 18, she was passionately involved in school, public speaking, Zionism, and socialism.

Her desire to move to Palestine conflicted with her desire for Morris Myerson. Morris did not share her Zionist dreams, but he agreed to move to Palestine, and Golda agreed to marry him. The newly-weds sailed to Palestine in 1921.

She entered a kibbutz and learned the ways of communal living. The other members of the kibbutz wondered how long this spoiled American woman would endure the hardships of the kibbutz. Golda's job was to tend the chickens. She loved it, as she loved the kibbutz. Soon she won over her community, with a little help from her phonograph and records. Soon she was elected as the kibbutz representative to the Histadrut (the General Federation of Labor).

Morris disliked communal living and refused to raise a family in that environment. They moved to Tel Aviv and then Jerusalem, where their son Menachum and daughter Sara were born.

Some tough times ensued. Morris worked as a carpenter and Golda was forced to take in laundry to pay Menachum's tuition. Their marriage began to crumble, but never dissolved. In 1928, Morris left Golda and she persuaded him to return. Golda's extramarital affairs were no secret, especially to her husband.

Golda did keep secret the existence of her Downs Syndrome grandchild. She never visited her granddaughter and never mentioned her publicly.

Family life did not stop Golda's involvement in the Zionist cause. After World War II, she worked to smuggle Jewish immigrants into Palestine. When the British arrested most of the Zionist leaders in 1946, Golda remained free and conducted the Zionist negotiations with the British. She also maintained close contact with the Jewish Armed Resistance. They opposed the British and fought against Arab terrorists.

Golda was among the signers of Israel's declaration of independence in 1948. She became Israel's first ambassador to the Soviet Union. Seven years after Israel's independence, Golda became the Foreign Minister.

By this time, she had changed her name from Myerson to Meir, which is the Hebrew word for "illuminates."

In 1945, Golda resigned as Foreign Minister to become Secretary-General of the Labor Party. The party selected her as its candidate for Premier upon the death of Premier Eshkol in 1969.

The Knesset (Parliament) gave Golda the biggest vote of confidence in Israel's history. When the national elections were held, the Labor party won the most votes. Thus, Golda continued to serve, and held the position of Prime Minister for five and one-half years.

In 1978, Golda died at age 80, after battling cancer for 15 years.