COMMENTARY | I was a young girl in elementary school when Geraldine Ferraro was selected by Walter Mondale to be his running mate, making her the first woman in the history of our country to run for the position of vice president. Ferraro became a symbol, representing the possibilities available to me when I became a woman. I rooted for her and Mondale, and even though they lost, what they accomplished wasn't diminished in my eyes.
Geraldine Ferraro was elected to Congress in 1978 and served three terms. She was a surprise choice for VP, much as Sarah Palin was a surprise choice during the last presidential campaign. Ferraro, 48 at the time, was more than just a woman running for office.
The politician was religious, with strong family values. She represented what was possible, teaching while going to law school, eventually becoming a lawyer, and then a member of congress. For many Americans, she was an example of the American dream.
Unfortunately for Ferraro, her dream wouldn't have a happy ending. Not only did she and Mondale lose the election in a landslide, Ferraro had no political office to return to after the defeat. Ferraro would run for senate in 1992 and 1998 but wouldn't make it out of the primaries, ending her political career.
Though Ferraro failed to re-enter politics, her mark was clearly left. Less than a decade after her failed attempt to become vice president of the United States, 1992 would be called, "The Year of the Woman." That year, 24 women were elected to the house of representatives, and the number of women in the Senate tripled. Ferraro's inclusion on the Democratic ticket brought women, and women voters into the political spotlight, and created opportunities that women like myself, are fortunate enough to enjoy today.
Being the first to do something is often difficult, but ultimately necessary. I now believe there will be a female vice president, and or president in my lifetime. I believe that, because women have increasingly shown their ability to accomplish things once thought impossible. Once upon a time, a school teacher ran for vice president of the United States of America, and even in defeat she won, and more importantly, women won. Ferraro is gone, after a battle with cancer, but what she did for women will not be forgotten.
Sources:
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/26/geraldine_ferraro/index.html
http://womenincongress.house.gov/historical-essays/essay.html?intID=5&intSectionID=26
http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/03/26/134882628/geraldine-ferraro-a-political-trail-blazer-for-women-is-dead
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