Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister, gained worldwide attention after an impassioned parliamentary speech accusing Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of misogyny and sexism. Her tirade launched a debate on the country’s macho culture and earned congratulations from the leaders of France and Denmark. The U.S. feminist website Jezebel called her “one badass motherf---ker,” which Gillard took as a compliment: “I think that’s how it was meant.”