On Monday, Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady and former prime minister of the United Kingdom for 11 years, died at the age of 87. Major news and media sources immediately began releasing obituaries mourning Thatcher, eliciting criticism from some who claimed her controversiality and divisiveness were downplayed and deserve recognition in the debate over her legacy. They certainly do, but not to the point that we begin to detract from the basic dignity one should be accorded after death. And to focus solely on her contentiousness would be vastly misrepresentative of her true legacy.

Many feminists criticize Thatcher’s time as prime minister, and they are not wrong to argue that her policies did not support feminist interests — or equal rights at all for that matter. Thatcher’s conservative agenda during her 11 years in office has kept her from becoming an icon among liberal feminist circles, but it does not mean her death cannot be mourned or that her achievements cannot be celebrated by those who supported her.

Thatcher was the first woman to serve as prime minister of the United Kingdom, and, although she was unpopular among her constituents, broke the glass ceiling for women in Europe. She was also a crucial figure in American foreign relations of the 1980s as a key supportive force throughout the Reagan administration.

In what concerns the size of a government — one of the main areas of debate between liberals and conservatives — even liberals should concede that Britain’s situation at the time Thatcher assumed office was far from ideal, with a lot of power in the hands of union bosses and a culture that emphasized government dependence. Thatcher’s strong leadership, and arguably her controversial measures, were fundamental in helping the United Kingdom recover its economic prosperity.

Just like any politician, Thatcher faced opposition during and after her time in office — and now she faces criticism after her death as well. The claim that her downfalls as prime minister are now being ignored is untrue, and history is not being revised to erase the discontent surrounding her administration. She may not have been the prime minister some were looking for, but out of human decency, her place in history should be respected.

A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, April 9 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].