Traditional philosophical and political science theories say nothing about gender because "they could not see gender where only men where present, where no 'difference was visible"

 (Connell 2009, p.103).  

Parliamentary and governmental-level political systems, such as the UK's Westminster system, were originally structured around men, and it seems politics is still a man's world- Women make up on average only 19.5% of the world’s various parliaments (22% in the UK) and there are only 17 countries with women as head of government, state or both.

Like her or loathe her, Margaret Thatcher  was a trail blazer for women at the highest levels of politics and government. Whether she would have liked it or not (and she probably wouldn't have) Margaret Thatcher will be remembered for this as much as anything else. I assume she would not have enjoyed being thought of as a feminist trail blazer because she constantly downplayed the significance of her gender. For example:

Margaret Thatcher when asked whether she regarded her leadership of the British Conservative Party as a victory for women:

“It is not a victory for women. It is a victory for someone in politics".

Margaret Thatcher when asked whether she was excited at being the first female PM:

“I don’t think of myself as the first woman Prime Minister”.

Margaret Thatcher when asked if she considered herself a feminist:

“No, not necessarily. I think something really rather different”.

Margaret Thatcher apparently regarded feminists as ‘strident’ and said that, “if you get anywhere, it is because of your ability. It’s not because of your sex...I didn't get here by being a strident female.I don't like strident females." 

cough, cough.

The references for those quotes are here:Maggie Thatcher's dubious quotes

Thatcher herself denied having benefitted from what she called ‘women’s lib’. But this is not the same thing as her not having consciously performed gender. 

Feminist critics of Thatcherite policy will often admit a certain respect for her achievement as Prime Minister. Hence, many - both feminist and non-feminist – can agree that her role as Prime Minister was symbolically important. 

She proved that a woman could do the top job; Thatcher broke the political glass ceiling. 

And a number of contemporary conservative female politicians and businesswomen have talked about how she acted as a role model, inspiring their own careers. 

Even while Thatcher demonstrated that a woman could lead, there are those who question, what is commonly referred to as her masculinised leadership style. I suspect that much of the vitriol towards her stems from a widely held contention that women should, and do practice politics in a kinder, gentler way than men.

Margaret Thatcher proves that women come in all political hues,

and

that feminism does not speak to all women.

I think to expect that all female politicians will care about women’s issues in the same way (however we define this) is essentialist, and deeply problematic from a feminist perspective!

  

Even those who have almost nothing good to say about her political policies and decisions, surely have to acknowledge her achievement in getting the top job- The UK’s first, and so far, only woman Prime Minister.

References:

Connell, RW 2009, ‘Gender on the Large Scale’, in Gender, Polity, Cambridge, pp. 115-120.