The examples of Thatcher, Robinson, Kumaratunga and Mowlam show the importance of recognising the critical moment - even if your chances appear slim. More than one of the women featured has won an important election by a margin of only one vote! Women like Bonino and Robinson have resisted the stereotypes, challenged the status quo and succeeded in moving into new roles for women. Margaret Thatcher saw how critical timing could be:

Margaret Thatcher:

  "And really that's how women have got on -because they've had the right personality with the right capability, in the right place at the right time".