Geraldine Ferraro

Guide Note

Geraldine Ferraro is a major figure in the Democratic Party.

She served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a representative from a district in Queens, New York from 1979-1985.

Ferraro is the first women from a major American political party to be nominated for vice president, having served as Walter Mondale's running mate in the 1984 election.

While in Congress, Ferraro was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus.

A vocal supported of Hillary Clinton, Ferraro has caused considerable controversy with statements criticizing Barack Obama.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: Geraldine Anne Ferraro
2. Born: August 26, 1935
3. Birthplace: Newburgh, New York
4. Served in Congress January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1985
5. First women to be nominated for vice-president by a major party in the United States
6. Ambassador to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, 1994-1996
7. Supporter of the Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign
8. Controversially stated, "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position" on March 7, 2008
9. Stepped down from Clinton's finance committee on March 12, 2008

Ferraro has been a major supporter and fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.

On March 7, she sparked controversy in an interview with the Torrance, California newspaper, The Daily Breeze, when she said of Barack Obama's presidential bid: "If he was a white man, he would not be in this position...and if he was a woman of any color he would not be in this position."

The comments sparked widespread criticism. In response, Ferraro was quoted in a followup, March 11, article in the Breeze as saying, "I really think they're attacking me because I'm white. How's that?"

Under mounting pressure, Ferraro resigned from Clinton's finance committee the following day.