Ferraro, Geraldine (1935–)

American politician. Name variations: Geraldine Zaccaro. Born Geraldine Anne Ferraro in Newburgh, NY, Aug 26, 1935; dau. of Dominick Ferraro (businessman) and Antonetta (Corrieri) Ferraro; Marymount Manhattan College, BA, 1956; Fordham Law School, JD, 1960; m. John A. Zaccaro (real-estate developer), 1960; children: Donna, John Jr. and Laura Zaccaro.

The 1st American woman nominated for vice president, was appointed assistant district attorney, Queens, New York (1975); elected to US House of Representatives (1978), then reelected (1982); given a seat on the powerful House Budget Committee; initiated a pension-equity bill (1981), giving women greater access to their husbands' pension plans and retirement benefits; gained influence in the House and made some powerful allies; named chair of the Democratic Platform Committee (1984); nominated for vice president at Democratic National Convention (1984); proved a tenacious, cool, and enthusiastic politician on the hustings, but her candidacy became jeopardized amidst growing speculation over husband's business practices; ran as unsuccessful candidate for US Senate (1992); served as a public delegate (Feb 1993) and alternate US delegate to the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna (June 1993); appointed US ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission by President Bill Clinton (1994), serving two years; was vice-chair of the US delegation at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing (Sept 1955); was co-host of "Crossfire," a political interview program on CNN (1996–98); was a partner in the CEO Perspective Group, a consulting firm that advises top executives (1996–98); ran as unsuccessful candidate for US Senate (1998).

See also autobiography (with Linda Bird Francke) Ferraro: My Story (Bantam, 1985) and (with Catherine Whitney) Framing a Life: A Family Memoir (Scribner, 1998); and Women in World History.