Ferraro's Legacy

Obituary, Front Page, New York Times, March 27, 2011

Geraldine A. Ferraro was a feminist icon, a role model to millions and an Italian-American pioneer. In addition to shattering the glass ceiling for women in national politics, she endured double-barreled ethnic derision at the hands of both the male-dominated media and the Washington establishment.

But when this feisty former assistant district attorney upbraided a patronizing George H. W. Bush in the vice-presidential debates of 1984, the entire nation took notice.

Ms. Ferraro paved the way for Hillary Rodham Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice and Nancy Pelosi to play pivotal roles in the political fortunes of our Republic.

But unlike the Sarah Palins and Michele Bachmanns of today, she eschewed a rigid ideological orthodoxy.

Rosario A. Iaconis, Chairman, Italic Institute of America, Mineola, N.Y.