David Ferraro

Geraldine Ferraro was an American politician, diplomat, and attorney who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for New York from 1979 to 1985. She made history in 1984 as the first woman nominated for vice president by a major political party, running alongside Walter Mondale. Born in Newburgh, New York, Ferraro grew up in the Bronx and worked as a teacher before becoming a lawyer. She joined the Queens County District Attorney's Office, leading the Special Victims Bureau focused on sex crimes and abuse.

During her time in Congress, Ferraro championed legislation for women's equity in wages and retirement. Her vice-presidential nomination in 1984 also marked her as the first Italian American to be a major-party national nominee. Although the Mondale-Ferraro ticket faced challenges regarding finances, they were ultimately defeated by Ronald Reagan. Ferraro later ran for the U.S. Senate, served as Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and remained active in politics and business. She passed away in 2011 from multiple myeloma.

Geraldine Anne Ferraro was born in Newburgh, New York, in 1935. Her parents were Antonetta Corrieri Ferraro, a seamstress, and Dominick Ferraro, a restaurant owner and Italian immigrant. After her father's death when she was eight, her family faced financial hardship, relocating to the South Bronx. Ferraro attended parochial schools and later Marymount Manhattan College on scholarship, graduating in 1956 as the first woman in her family to earn a college degree. She then worked as an elementary school teacher before pursuing law at Fordham University School of Law, graduating with honors in 1960. Admitted to the New York bar in 1961, she married John Zaccaro the same year. While raising their three children, she worked part-time in law and became involved in local politics, eventually being appointed Assistant District Attorney for Queens County in 1974. She headed the Special Victims Bureau, prosecuting cases of abuse and advocating for victims.

In 1978, Ferraro successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York's 9th Congressional District. Known for her focus on law and order and neighborhood preservation, she utilized her Italian heritage to connect with constituents. Despite facing personal attacks and campaign finance issues, she won the general election. As a congresswoman, she quickly gained prominence, becoming a protégé of Speaker Tip O'Neill. She served as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus and was appointed to the influential House Budget Committee. Her legislative focus included advocating for women's equity in wages, pensions, and retirement plans. In 1984, Walter Mondale selected her as his running mate for the presidential election, making her the first woman nominated for vice president by a major American political party and the first Italian American to achieve this status.

The Mondale-Ferraro presidential campaign faced scrutiny regarding personal finances and disclosure statements, ultimately losing to Ronald Reagan in a landslide. Following the election, Ferraro made two unsuccessful bids for the U.S. Senate from New York in 1992 and 1998, both times falling short in the primary. From 1993 to 1996, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights under President Bill Clinton. She continued her career as a journalist, author, and businesswoman, and was involved in Senator Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. Geraldine Ferraro died in 2011 from multiple myeloma, twelve years after her diagnosis.