Geraldine Ferraro

Geraldine Ferraro dreamed of being a journalist.

Instead she grew up to become the first female nominated by a major political party for vice president of the United States.

"I believe we are put on this earth for a reason and that reason is more than advancing our own self interest. I ran for office because I truly believed that I could make life better for others if I were given the opportunity to do so."
Geraldine Ferraro

Multimedia: Geraldine Ferraro discuss her vice presidential debate with the VP George Bush

Spotlight: Politics

The Road Taken:
Press Secretary Ari Fleischer

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Considering a career in Politics...

When you were a teen what did you want to be?
When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a newspaper reporter. I loved my English courses, enjoyed writing and was good enough at it to win a contest at a Catholic monthly magazine, be editor of my school newspaper, and copy editor of the yearbook. I also thought it would be an interesting life.

What were the major turning points in your life?
The major turning points in my life were my father's sudden death when I was eight years old, receiving my law degree, getting married, having children, winning elective office, running for vice president and having grandchildren.

I believe we are put on this earth for a reason and that reason is more than advancing our own self interest. I ran for office because I truly believed that I could make life better for others if I were given the opportunity to do so. I did so as a prosecutor, I did so when I was in Congress, I did so when I was ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. I'm sorry I was not able to do so as the vice president or as a senator.

What were the highs and lows of your career in public service?
The high point was running for vice president. And I'm not speaking about me, because any one of a number of other women could have done precisely what I did. But the candidacy did have an effect on this country. We took down the "Men Only" sign on the door of the White House. Also in the 16 years since then, women have come up to me in airports, on the street, in stores to tell me that the campaign had an impact on their lives. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to represent them.

The low points were when my family was attacked by the press and the Republicans in 1984 in an effort to weaken me and my candidacy.

What was the most important piece of advice given to you as a teenager?
My mother told me that if things didn't go exactly as I planned, if something went wrong, that I should learn from the experience, not wallow in the loss, and move on. I've passed that advice on to my children.

What advice would you give to students on setting and reaching their goals?
Finish school, work hard, and be flexible. I switched from journalism to teaching when I was in college, went to law school at night while teaching in a New York City public school, and later stayed home for 13 years to raise my three children. I've been a prosecutor, member of Congress, corporate lawyer, ambassador and lecturer. I have written three books, hosted a TV program on CNN, and when I lost the Senate primary in 1998, went to work as a consultant on workplace practices. I also taught a course at Georgetown's School of Public Policy, wrote a bi-weekly column on politics for the New York Times Syndicate and worked as a political analyst for Fox News.

Every job I have ever had has in some way helped me further my goal of fulfilling my reason for being here. Being flexible gave me all kinds of opportunity. I feel good about that. And though I'm 65, my children are still asking me what I want to be when I grow up!!

What advice would you give to teens considering politics or public service?
I encourage young people to get involved in politics. I believe as citizens they have not only the right to vote, but an obligation to learn the issues so that they vote intelligently. The best way to do that is to get involved in politics. I also believe that it is important that young people understand the power of public office to do good. I believe, despite what may be making cheap headlines in the last few years, that politics is an honorable profession.

If a teen is interested in a career in politics, he or she should begin immediately. Find a politician, a party, an issue she cares about, get informed and then get involved. Volunteer. Though no professional training is required - in the past 25 years we've had a nuclear physicist (Carter) actor (Reagan) businessman (Bush) and attorney (Clinton) in the White House, an education is essential. So my most important advice is finish school and stay out of trouble!

When do you think we'll have a female or minority president?
If only white males continue to run for the presidency, we will never have a woman or minority president. The first step is for a woman or minority to be willing to take the risk and get into the game and stay in it. Of course, the more women and minorities who run, the greater the chances are that one will achieve the presidency.

-- interview conducted June 2000