Jenny Shipley
Jenny Shipley
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jenny Shipley is a New Zealand politician commonly known as Jenny Shipley.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on February 4, 1952, in Gore, New Zealand. She remains active in public life today.
Nationality and Profession(s)
New Zealander by birth and occupation of former Prime Minister, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
Early Life and Background
Jenny Shipley was born to a farming family in rural Southland. She grew up in an environment that valued hard work, resourcefulness, and community involvement. Her early life laid the foundation for her future leadership roles and commitment to public service.
Shipley's educational journey began at Gore Primary School before transferring to Otago Girls' High School in Dunedin. After completing her secondary education, she enrolled in the University of Canterbury (now known as the University of Canterbury) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. Her academic pursuits and extracurricular activities instilled in her a strong sense of social responsibility and leadership skills.
Major Accomplishments
Jenny Shipley's most notable achievement is becoming New Zealand's first female Prime Minister when she took office in December 1997. She served for nearly three years until November 2000, making significant policy changes during her tenure, particularly in the areas of economic reform, education, and social welfare.
Some of her key accomplishments include:
Implementing major structural reforms aimed at increasing competitiveness and efficiency
Introducing policies that improved New Zealand's international standing and trade relationships
Emphasizing the importance of education, which included significant investments in schools and universitiesNotable Works or Actions
As Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley demonstrated her commitment to public service by championing various initiatives and advocating for key issues. Some of her notable works include:
Reform of New Zealand's economy: Shipley oversaw the implementation of several major reforms aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.
Social welfare policy changes: During her tenure, she introduced policies designed to support vulnerable members of society, including those affected by poverty and unemployment.Impact and Legacy
Jenny Shipley's legacy extends beyond her time as Prime Minister. Her commitment to public service has left a lasting impact on New Zealand's political landscape:
Pioneering role for women in politics: Shipley broke ground as the first female Prime Minister of New Zealand, paving the way for future generations of women in leadership positions.
* Policy reforms and economic growth: The significant policy changes implemented during her tenure contributed to New Zealand's economic growth and improved international standing.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jenny Shipley is widely quoted and remembered due to her trailblazing career as a female politician, her commitment to public service, and the lasting impact of her policies.
Quotes by Jenny Shipley
New Zealand’s taken some very significant decisions in relation to defence in the last two years.
I can’t for the life of me see that by being permissive you actually assist anyone.
The Open Skies issue is something that’s ongoing and we understand that there are issues in Australia that need to be sorted out. It’s something that I think over time there’s an opportunity for us and we’ll work on that in a progressive way.
Ten years ago in Nairobi we said that the participation of women in the decision-making and appraisal processes of the United Nations was essential if the organization was to effectively serve women’s interests.
It is important to remember that the Pacific Ocean covers a quarter of the world’s surface and that each Pacific country has its own cultural, historical and ethnic identity.
The serious problems facing the world today will never be solved until women are able to use their full potential on behalf of themselves, their families, and their global and local communities, as the World Bank and others have discovered.
The first day you're a leader is the beginning of the end of your political career.
I do remember when I first went into politics, one of my competitors asked me, 'Well, Jenny Shipley, who's looking after your children?' I don't think many of my male colleagues have faced a similar question.
I am not a supporter of the rhetoric of, 'Dear, dear, the toys have got lead paint.' If I had a manufacturer in China that allowed that to happen, I'd fire them instantly.
Too often the desire for peace has been expressed by women while the stewardship of the mechanisms which are used to attempt to secure peace in the short and medium term are dominated by male decision-making structures and informal arrangements. This must change.