Statement by Congresswoman Waters on the Passing of Geraldine Ferraro

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) issued the following statement today after Geraldine Ferraro, a former Congresswoman from New York and the first woman to ever serve as a vice presidential candidate on a major party's ticket, passed away. She was 75:

"I am very saddened to learn that former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro is no longer with us, and I extend my deepest condolences to her husband, children, family and friends.

"I have very fond memories of Geraldine. She ascended to political power and fame during the women's movement, where I worked alongside some of the greats like Gloria Steinem, Patsy Mink, Pat Schroeder, and Barbara Mikulski, helping open up opportunities for women. Of course Geraldine was there with us too, and had been doing that work for years.

"In fact, she came in the mold of strong Congresswomen from New York like Shirley Chisholm and Bella Abzug – two of my personal heroes. Geraldine was a tireless advocate for the full rights of women, particularly in the home and in the workplace, first as a lawyer and later as a politician and humanitarian.

"She so impressed members of the Democratic party that less than six years after arriving in Washington as a Member of Congress, she was chosen to serve as Walter Mondale's running mate in the 1984 presidential election. I will never forget her moving speech at the convention in San Francisco that year, where she reflected on her modest background and her strong advocacy for women's equality. Watching Geraldine there, the unprecedented image of a woman standing at that podium on that stage at that time, helped millions of women around the country understand what was possible. Hers was a true American story of struggle, success, and humility.

 "Geraldine was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and an uncompromising advocate for women here at home and around the world, encapsulated in her time as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

"Young girls will continue to learn about and be inspired by her ascendancy, her passion, and her mark on history as a strong woman, an important first, and a great American. Geraldine was one of a kind, and will truly be missed."

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