Geraldine Ferraro Quotes

Powerful Geraldine Ferraro for Daily Growth

About Geraldine Ferraro

Geraldine Anne Ferraro (1935-2011) was an American politician who made history as the first female candidate for vice president on a major party ticket with Walter Mondale in 1984. Born on August 26, 1935, in New York City, she grew up in the working-class neighborhood of the Bronx. Ferraro's father was an Italian immigrant and her mother, an Irish American. Her early life experiences, particularly witnessing her parents' struggle to make ends meet, influenced her political views and commitment to social justice. Ferraro attended Marymount College (now a part of Fordham University) and later received her law degree from Fordham University School of Law. She worked as an assistant district attorney in Queens before launching a successful career in politics. In 1978, Ferraro was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served for six terms, advocating for women's rights, education, and healthcare reform. Ferraro's most significant contribution came in 1984 when she was selected as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, making her the first female running mate on a major party ticket. Despite losing the election to Ronald Reagan, Ferraro paved the way for women in politics and shattered numerous glass ceilings. Post-politics, Ferraro worked as a professor at Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus and served as a television political commentator. She was also active in various charitable causes, particularly those related to cancer research, after her husband, John Zaccaro, died of brain cancer in 1990. Geraldine Ferraro passed away on March 26, 2011, at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer for women in politics and an advocate for social justice. Her quote, "I am not a traditional woman. I'm just a woman," encapsulates her spirit and determination to break barriers and challenge societal norms.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"When I ran for vice president, people said I was too ambitious. But if my son had run for vice president, he would have been called a 'rising star.'"

Geraldine Ferraro's quote highlights the persistent gender bias that exists in society, particularly in politics. Her observation is that ambition in women is often perceived negatively or as being excessive, whereas in men, it is seen as a positive trait labeled as "rising star." This quote underscores the need for greater equality and fairness in evaluating ambition and achievement across genders.


"I think it's very important to recognize that women are not a special interest group, we are the majority of America."

Geraldine Ferraro's statement emphasizes the significance of women as the numerical majority in American society, implying that they should not be viewed or treated as a marginalized or minority group but rather recognized for their collective power and influence within the broader context of America. This perspective highlights the need to address issues affecting women as part of mainstream policy-making, recognizing their vital role in shaping and driving societal progress.


"If you want to run for office, you're going to hear some pretty tough things about yourself, and your family, and your looks, and everything else. But if you can handle that, and still believe in what you're doing, then there's no limit to what you can do."

Geraldine Ferraro's quote emphasizes the challenges and resilience required to pursue a career in public office. It suggests that anyone who aspires for political leadership should anticipate facing tough criticism about themselves, their family, appearance, and other personal aspects. However, if an individual can endure such criticisms while maintaining their belief in their cause, there are no limitations to the heights they can achieve in politics. In essence, she underscores the importance of tenacity, self-belief, and resilience when pursuing a career in politics.


"Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world."

Geraldine Ferraro's quote highlights the vast potential that women possess globally, as a significant portion remains underutilized due to systemic barriers and societal norms. It suggests that by empowering women to access opportunities equivalent to men, we can harness an immense pool of talent that will undoubtedly benefit our societies and economies. This quote underscores the importance of gender equality in unlocking human potential for collective progress and prosperity.


"I don't want my granddaughters thinking that because they were born female, the only way they could be successful is marrying well."

This quote suggests a desire for gender equality and freedom from traditional limitations. Geraldine Ferraro expresses discontent with the notion that success for women can only be achieved through marriage, rather than through individual skills, talents, and career pursuits. It implies a call to break free from outdated societal norms that restrict opportunities based on one's gender.


I'd call it a new version of voodoo economics, but I'm afraid that would give witch doctors a bad name.

- Geraldine Ferraro

New, Give, Voodoo, Witch

Vice president - it has such a nice ring to it!

- Geraldine Ferraro

Nice, Ring, Vice, Vice President

I readily admit I was not an expert on foreign policy but I was knowledgeable and I didn't need a man who was the Vice President of the United States and my opponent turning around and putting me down.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Expert, Putting, Readily, Vice President

But I do think its necessary to have debates.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Think, Necessary, Debates

President Reagan's one-liners were terrific.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Terrific, Reagan, Were, One-Liners

My desk drawer is filled with all kinds of prayers.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Desk, Filled, Kinds, Drawer

But I made one mistake which I would never repeat as a member of Congress when I was in Washington, and that was when I was elected I didn't go on trips because I was so afraid of having someone accuse me of taking junkets.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Congress, Accuse, Would, Trips

For one thing, one of the wonderful things that we now have is instead of the huge budget surpluses that President Clinton left us with, we now have these huge deficits that we're going to be facing into the future.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Going, President Clinton, Wonderful Things

I was a trial lawyer when I was elected to Congress.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Elected, Trial Lawyer, Trial, Lawyer

We were so shocked by how fast that war went that President Bush did not have a plan, a peace plan.

- Geraldine Ferraro

War, Shocked, Bush, President Bush

And it was, it was not beating George Bush, believe it or not, the bottom line as far as I was concerned was introducing to the public who Gerry Ferraro was.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Concerned, Gerry, Beating, As Far As

The bottom line as far as I was concerned was presenting to the public who Gerry Ferraro was.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Concerned, Public, Gerry, As Far As

I enjoyed debate on the floor but it's not really debate in the same way.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Debate, Same, Enjoyed, Floor

People who live through transplants or disasters like Sept. 11 are survivors.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Through, Like, Sept, Survivors

I'm a happy camper because by doing this I have an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of research.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Happy, Doing, Edge, Cutting Edge

You don't have to have fought in a war to love peace.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Love, Peace, Fought, To Love

We had prepared, my staff had prepared for me a whole dossier on virtually - on George Bush on his votes on his records, what he had done over the past number of years in public service.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Over, Records, Virtually, Votes

I have been extremely lucky; I am a person who is currently living with a cancer that is under control.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Lucky, Living, Been, Cancer

And I have to tell you as a grandmother, I worry about the fact that my grandchildren are going to be paying for all the spending, including military spending, that has gone on and the tax cuts that have come through.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Worry, Fact, Through, Cuts

The polls indicated that I was feisty, that I was tough, that I had a sense of humor, but they weren't quite sure if they liked me and they didn't know whether or not that I was sensitive.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Sense Of Humor, Sure, Feisty, Polls

I didn't serve on a committee that dealt with foreign policy.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Committee, Serve, Dealt, Foreign Policy

I don't consider myself a survivor; that's someone who has gone through something terrible.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Myself, Through, Someone, Survivor

If you ask me a question, don't tell me what the question is in advance, 'cause I'd rather not know.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Question, Tell, Rather, Advance

You people married to Italian men, you know what it's like.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Men, Know, Like, Italian

I didn't look very sensitive and they didn't know me very well.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Me, Know, Very, Sensitive

What are my sources of strength? My husband and my three kids, my health-care team, and my religion.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Strength, Team, Sources, Husband

If you think somebody cares about you and believes your life is worth saving, how can you give up?

- Geraldine Ferraro

Think, Give, About, Cares

I don't like to practice ahead of time what I'm going to say.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Practice, Like, Going, Ahead

See that's a goal that I think it's very good in the debate to find out who the person is.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Think, I Think, Very, Debate

I do believe in the power of prayer.

- Geraldine Ferraro

Power, Believe, Prayer

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