Flashback: Geraldine Ferraro’s VP nod in 1984 was a watershed moment — but soon came the smears
As the Democratic nominee for vice president stepped up to the podium at her party’s 1984 national convention, the chanting began: “Gerry! Gerry! Gerry!” It resumed whenever she tried to speak. The delegates knew her words would be historic yet couldn’t wait to hear them before screaming and foot-stomping their endorsement.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the convention: My name is Geraldine Ferraro,” she at last said. “I stand before you to proclaim tonight: America is the land where dreams can come true for all of us.”
She was the first woman to be nominated for vice president by a major party, and though a woman wouldn’t be nominated for president until 2016, Ferraro’s breakthrough was an immediate game-changer.
When the Republicans held their convention a month later, the person asked to give the vice presidential nominating speech was U.S. Rep. Lynn Martin, an Illinois GOP stalwart.
