Full Name: Geraldine Anne "Gerry" Ferraro
Profession: Congresswoman and 1st Female Vice-Presidential Nominee
Biography: Ferraro was the Democratic Party's vice-presidential nominee in 1984; which made history, with her being the first female nominee for a major political party. Prior to this she had been a teacher, then a District Attorney; heading the Special Victims Bureau.
Then in 1978, she was elected from New York to the House of Representatives. During her time in Congress, Ferraro rose quickly in the Democratic establishment and was a major force for gender equality legislation.
Then, in 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale picked Ferraro as his running mate. She was not only the first women to be selected as a vice-presidential nominee, but also the only Italian American to be selected for the same.
Ultimately, despite a boost to Mondale's polling from her signing on, damaging information arose regarding her and her husband's finances. Mondale and Ferraro were overwhelmingly defeated by incumbent President Ronald Reagan and his Vice-President, George H. W. Bush.
Born: August 26, 1935
Birthplace: Newburgh, New York, USA
Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Virgo
Historical Events
- 1984-07-12 Geraldine Ferraro becomes the 1st US female major-party vice-presidential candidate, after Walter Mondale selects her as his Democratic Party running mate
- 1984-07-19 Geraldine Ferraro (US Representative, New York), becomes the 1st US female major-party vice-presidential nominee, officially joining Walter Mondale's Democratic Party ticket
- 1984-10-11 US Vice Presidential candidates' debate - Geraldine Ferraro (D) and George H. W. Bush (R), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Alice Mary Robertson
Jeannette Rankin
John Lewis
Nancy Pelosi
Newt Gingrich
Shirley Chisholm