Geraldine Ferraro: 1935-2011

Geraldine Ferraro has died at the age of 75 after a long battle with blood cancer.  She died surrounded by her family, including her husband of 50 years, John Zaccaro, as well as her 3 children.  She also had 8 grandchildren.

She was born, appropriately enough, on Women's Equality Day, August 26, 1935 in Newburgh, NY. 
She married after graduating from Fordham Law School and kept her name to honor her mother, who worked long hours as a seamstress.  Private law practice led to a position as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens, NY.  She prosecuted crimes against women, children, and the elderly.  In 1978, she was elected to the first of 3 Congressional terms representing her district in Queens.  Of course, in 1984, she was asked by Walter Mondale to be her running-mate, becoming the first woman on a major party presidential ticket.  In the 90s, she was appointed an ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission by President Clinton. 

Here is her acceptance speech at the 1984 Democratic convention: