Taking A Stand: Benazir Bhutto

Heather Cheesman
Website

I chose to research Benazir Bhutto, because I am interested in studying powerful

females in history. Women in the past, and even present today, are under represented in
politics and positions of high power. The politician came from a Middle Eastern society
with traditions that are suppressive to women. Bhuttos election is important, because she
not only gets recognized as the first woman to become the prime minister of a Muslim
country, but also proves that women can be in influential and powerful careers in any
society.
A majority of sources in this project are digital. One important source is the
AcademyofAchievement.org. This source provides a full biography of the politicians
life. The site compiles multiple interviews and direct quotes from Bhutto to give a more
in depth summary of her life. The online photograph gallery for Time Magazine was
helpful during research, because it displayed the dangerous setting in which Bhutto had to
expose herself to each time she spoke to a crowd.
One problem in the creation of this project was uploading films. The PBS
Independent Film Lens would not transfer to the webpage so an alternate YouTube
version had to be uploaded instead.
The story of Benazir Bhutto perfectly depicts a person who takes a stand. Bhutto
defied the stereotypes her society placed on women and worked to achieve the position of
Prime Minister of Pakistan for two terms. When fellow politicians try to damage Bhuttos
reputation and even kick her out of the position, the Daughter of Pakistan continued to
speak out and get reelected. Bhuttos vision for democracy was greater than her own life
and she escaped life-threating bombs on multiple occasions before her assassination. In
the end, Benazir Bhutto shifted societys views towards women in politics not only in
Pakistan, but the world and was known as a martyr for democracy and equality.

Primary Sources:
Bhutto, Benazir. "Male Domination of Women." China, Beijing. 4 Sept. 1995.
Siteseen Ltd. Web. 4 Sept. 1995.
In a speech to the people of Beijing on September 4, 1995, Bhutto interprets Islam
from her personal perspective, stating that Islam promotes equality between men
and women rather than discrimination. While in China, Bhutto intends for her
message to extend to the Middle East.
Caron, Sarah. In the Eye of the Storm. Digital image. Time. Time Inc, 2010. Web. 31
May 2016.
Time Magazines 2010 photograph by Susan Caron provides first hand footage of
Bhutto during her house arrest. After reading the newspaper, as seen in the
picture, Bhutto learns of a terrorist attack on over two hundred of her supporters,
which further fuels Bhuttos political activism.
Sheehy, Gail. "I Am What The Terrorists Most Fear." Parade Magazine 6 Jan. 2008:
n. pag. The Stanford Freedom Project. Web.
Bhutto was on the 2008 Parade Magazine cover and featured in an interview
entitled I Am What The Terrorists Most Fear. This immensely popular magazine
edition was released earlier than its anticipated press date due to Bhuttos
assassination.
Querishi, Aamir. House Arrest. Digital image. Time. Time Inc, n.d. Web. 26 May
2016.
This photograph, taken by Aamir Querishi for Time Magazine, depicts the
unsafety that democracy promoters faced during rallies. Bhutto speaks to her
supporters behind barbed wires with limited bodyguards by her side.

Secondary Sources:
"Benazir Bhutto Biography." Academy of Achievement. American Academy of
Achievement, 28 Sept. 2015. Web. 25 May 2016.
The Academy of Achievement's online biography gives a summary of the life of
Benazir Bhutto. Starting at Bhutto's childhood and education, the source informs
of the politician's increasing activism leading up to the tragic details of her
assassination and includes video interviews with Bhutto.

"Benazir Bhutto." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 June 2016.

This source provides a detailed analysis of Benazir Bhuttos personal and political
life as the eleventh and thirteenth Prime Minister of Pakistan.
From Pampered Princess to Polarizing Politician. Duane Baughman. PBS
Independent Lens, May 10, 2011. Film.
PBS Independent Lens presents a preview from Baughmans documentary on the
life of Benazir Bhutto. The clip depicts the opposition Bhutto faced from
politicians and military dictators that she worked besides.
Glum, Julia. "Benazir Bhutto Assassination Case: Musharraf Responsible For
Pakistan Prime Minister's Death, Witness Siegel Claims." International
Business Times. IBT Media Inc., 17 Oct. 2015. Web. 31 May 2016.
The International Business Times divulges information regarding Bhutto's
assassination and places the blame on President Musharraf. The online article
utilizes information from inside sources within the country like the Press Trust of
India and Pakistan Today.
History.com Staff. "Benazir Bhutto." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009.
Web. 19 June 2016.
History.com starts from Bhuttos early life in Karachi, Pakistan and explains the
hardships the family had when promoting democracy in politics. The source then
transitions to Bhuttos personal career and her two terms as Prime Minister.
Perlez, Jane, and Victoria Burnett. "The New York Times." Benazir Bhutto, 54,
Lived in Eye of Pakistan Storm. The New York Times, 28 Dec. 2007. Web. 19
June 2016.
The New York Times online article aired the day after Bhuttos death. The article
recalls the highlights of Bhuttos career as a politician throughout her fifty four
years of life.
"Society and Norms: Gender Roles - Women." Society and Norms: Gender Roles
Women. University of West Florida, 2010. Web. 31 May 2016.
The University of Florida website explains the traditional roles of women and
men in Bhuttos homeland, Pakistan. While women hold a strong matriarchal role
in the household, they are not provided with equal educational and employment
opportunities.

Raphel, Alexandra. "Women, Girls and Malala: Research on Gender and

Education in Pakistan, and beyond - Journalist's Resource." Journalist's
Resource. Harvard Kennedy School, 10 Oct. 2014. Web. 18 June 2016.
This online journalism source focuses on the lack of female education. Raphel's
report includes statistics from reputable worldwide organizations that research
female inequality in education, such as the World Economic Forum.
Vera, Katherine. "Malala and Bhutto Challenge The Oppression of Women in the
Arab World." The Stanford Freedom Project. N.p., 14 Dec. 2014. Web. 19
June 2016.
The Stanford Freedom Project analyzes pioneers in the educational world. The
focus of this article is to compare Bhutto and Malala, because they are both
females who broke their cultures tradition in order to encourage equal rights and
education for girls.