Remembering Geraldine Ferraro - March 29, 2011

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, paid tribute to the life of Geraldine Ferraro in a speech on the Senate floor.

Madam President, I know we are about to recess, but I wish to take a minute or two to add my voice to all the women in the Senate who have been here today and thank the Presiding Officer for her leadership for encouraging us to honor Geraldine Ferraro.

I remember being on the floor of the 1984 Democratic Convention when she gave her acceptance speech for the Vice President of the United States, and it was electric listening to her. It epitomized for me, and I am sure every woman there, the fact that women could do anything.

Geraldine Ferraro worked tirelessly on behalf of human rights and women's rights around the globe. She dedicated her public service to the ideals of respect and equality and she lived a career that called on all women to challenge the glass ceilings of the world. I think it is particularly important because just because one woman breaks the glass ceiling doesn't mean opportunities are open to every woman, and she understood that and continued to encourage all the ceilings across the world to be broken for women.

Gerry's life was a powerful example for all of us who are honoring her today and for our daughters and granddaughters. We thank her for leading the way. She will be missed.