Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor the life, achievements, and legacy of Geraldine Anne Ferraro, who paved the way for aspiring women leaders and politicians across the Nation and the world to reach the highest positions of power. Geraldine dedicated her life to defending women's and children's rights and helping the less fortunate, whether in public service, as an attorney, as a Congresswoman, or as Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Her career was a turning point for women in politics, and an inspiration for women everywhere. In the early 1950s, when women were not expected to attend college, Geraldine was already breaking through the ``glass ceiling.'' The daughter of Italian immigrants, she worked her way through college and in 1956 became the first woman in her family to receive a college degree. In 1960, she graduated with honors from law school, where she was one of only 2 women in her graduating class of 179 students. She became a strong advocate for abused women and for the poor while serving as assistant district attorney for Queens County, NY, where she headed a new bureau that prosecuted sex crimes, child abuse, and domestic violence. Her passion to change America for the better took her all the way to the U.S. Congress, where she fought for equal pay, pensions, and retirement plans for women. She was also a leader on environmental issues.…”