Geraldine Ferraro: One Year Later

"Geraldine will forever be remembered as a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women, and Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life."

—Barack Obama


"Gerry Ferraro was one of a kind – tough, brilliant, and never afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believed in – a New York icon and a true American original."

— Bill and Hillary Clinton



The daughter of an immigrant, in 1984 Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman candidate for national office, vice president. She began her professional life working part-time as a civil lawyer in her husband's real estate firm, working occasionally for other clients and did some pro bono work for women in family court. She also engaged in local activism. 1970 marked the beginning of her political career as president of the Queens County Women's Bar Association. Her first full-time political job was Assistant District Attorney for Queens County in 1974. In 1978, she successfully ran for congress and became a protégé of Tip O’Neil. After three successful campaigns, in 1984 Walter Mondale picked her as his vice-presidential candidate. Post-1984 elections saw Ferraro in a number of roles that ranged from senatorial candidate, pundit on CNN’s Crossfire, to partner in law firms. She continued to be outspoken on numerous issues along the way. After a long illness battling multiple myeloma, she passed away March 26, 2011.


 


On March 24, 2:00 PM at Hunter College’s Lang Hall, the National Organization of Italian American Women and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute will host a symposium, “Geraldine Ferraro: The Italian American Woman Who Made History.” Confirmed speakers include: Hon. Arthur Gajarsa (Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit); Hon. Natalia Quintavalle (Consul General of Italy of New York); and Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey (Founder & Chair of NOIAW).


 


Lang Hall


Hunter College


East 68th Street, 4th Floor


(between Park and Lexington Avenues)


New York, NY 10021


 


RSVP by calling (212) 642-2094. Please note that seating is limited and we cannot reserve seats.