Michael Perlman, Forest Hills, NY
mperlman@queensledger.com, (917) 446-7775
October 28, 2012
For The Queens Ledger “Mic From Forest Hills” column
The legacy of the late Geraldine Anne Ferraro lives on in our hearts, and also in a visual sense in Forest Hills, thanks to the co-naming of the intersection of Austin Street at Ascan Avenue as “Geraldine Ferraro Way.” On Sunday, October 28 at 10:30 AM, a ceremony in her honor took center stage, as a result of the vision of Forest Hills Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, and in collaboration with other elected officials, community group representatives, and family members and friends of Ferraro. Councilmember Koslowitz recognized her as “a tireless advocate, dedicated public servant, and a pioneer who broke through gender gaps, and energized a generation of women through her historic nomination as Vice President.”
From 1967 – 2002, Ferraro lived with her family at 22 Deepdene Road in the Forest Hills Gardens. Just as constituents greeted her on the intersection of Austin Street and Ascan Avenue, now passersby will reminisce and feel empowered by the newly installed “Geraldine Ferraro Way” sign. A modern piece of history is now accompanied by historic street names. This ceremony and installation is a historic first for a political figure in Forest Hills.
Ferraro fought a brave battle against blood cancer, and the nation mourned her passing on March 26, 2011 at age 75. She is fondly recalled by family, friends, constituents, supporters, and elected officials for her political roles as a triple-term Queens Congresswoman of the 9th Congressional District from 1979 through 1985, and for being the first female and Italian American Vice President Candidate on a major party. In 1984, it was former Vice President Walter Mondale, who chose her as his running mate, but Republican incumbents President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H.W. Bush achieved victory.
Ferraro graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 1956, and earned her BA in English. She was an elementary school teacher in Astoria by day, while attending evening classes at Fordham University, where she earned a law degree in 1960. That same year, she married John Zaccaro. She chose to stay home to raise their children, while having a pro-bono private law practice. Prior to serving the House of Representatives in the late 1970s, she began her first full-time political position as an Assistant District Attorney for Queens County in 1974, where she founded a special victims bureau, and supervised the prosecution of domestic violence, crimes against seniors, child abuse, and sex crimes. In 1981, Ferraro co-sponsored the Economic Equity Act by advocating for women’s economic rights, calling for equal pay in wages and pensions for men and women, and she also advocated for elderly women.
From 1993 through 1996, she served as a U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which she achieved as a result of her advocacy role for President Bill Clinton. In 1999, Ferraro joined a public relations organization in Washington D.C. to advise clients on women’s issues.
To commemorate the late Geraldine Ferraro, on October 28, 2012, elected officials and Ferraro’s family delivered speeches in front of nearly 50 onlookers on a closed-off road on the south side of Austin Street and Ascan Avenue near the LIRR. History-in-the-making was complemented by the historic background of the Kennedy House, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, and Sutton Hall. The harmonious opening consisted of the Pledge of Allegiance and The Star-Spangled Banner. Some officials who spoke included Councilmembers Karen Koslowitz, Daniel Dromm, and Elizabeth Crowley, Borough President Helen Marshall, State Assemblymembers Andrew Hevesi, Grace Meng and Michael DenDekker, State Senators Toby Ann Stavisky and Jose Peralta, Comptroller John Liu, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, and Congressmember Carolyn Maloney.
Everyone who attended and/or addressed attendees, reflected upon Ferraro’s passion for people and her establishment of some historic firsts for women. Ferraro’s son, John Anthony Zaccaro, Jr. felt honored that his parents were Queens residents for 67 years, and that his mother met 6 of 7 grandchildren. He explained, “Queens was her community, and she instilled in her children to be a part of it. Now my whole family is community-serving and active in charity. This is where she taught, and served as an Assistant District Attorney and in Congress.” He remembered his mother as “a very loyal, hardworking, passionate, and supportive person with a larger than life personality.”
Ferraro’s widower, John Zaccaro reinforced his family’s long residency and devotion to Forest Hills, and mentioned he was a student at the nearby Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parochial School. Zaccaro met his future wife when she was 17, and they attended Marymount Manhattan College. He reminisced how Ferraro was “a smart, unique, and good person.” He referred to the ceremony as “a great honor which we appreciate.”
Ferraro’s dear friend, Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey is the Chair of the National Organization of Italian American Women. Sirey referenced how Ferraro helped create that 32 year-old organization, and how she has been a memorable inspiration to Italian American women among women at large. She stated, “There weren’t too many women in Congress at a time when she was elected. People would stop and talk to her when we shopped, and she was always available. She had a sincere concern for our well-being.”
Senator Peralta stated, “Geraldine Ferraro was a trailblazer and an advocate for justice, and a voice for the voiceless. She personified Queens’ full potential and what it meant to live up to it. Without a Geraldine Ferraro, there wouldn’t be a Senator Jose Peralta breaking the barriers. We want this for all of our children. She was a true ambassador who put Queens on the map.” Councilmember Koslowitz added, “Not only a Vice President a woman can be, but a woman can be President of the United States.”
BP Marshall stated, “I can’t help but remember that day in San Francisco when Gerry was standing in her white coat and speaking. I don’t think there was a dry eye in that great convention center. Mondale didn’t go through. If he didn’t go through, she didn’t go through, but she kept on going and served us as a great Congresswoman.”
Senator Stavisky explained, “I was a delegate that night in San Francisco when Gerry accepted the nomination. I felt so proud.” She continued, “I am the first women from Queens County elected to the State Senate, and it’s because of people like Geraldine Ferraro. Today we stand on the shoulders of the people who came before us.” Referencing the ceremony, she stated, “This is a bittersweet moment, but it tells you that people remember and care.”
Assemblymember Meng explained, “This is a perfect place for the street renaming. People of all levels of stature passed through this corner; people with fancy titles or no titles, and little kids; our future leaders. It’s wonderful to pass through here every day, and remember how we can try to emulate her in our daily lives, personally and professionally.” Assemblymember DenDekker agreed, adding that she is a “great role model for Democrats countrywide.” He continued, “She made Queens the center of scrutiny around the country. Candidates for President come here when they run for office, since they know how strong Queens is, and we owe that to Geraldine.”
On a conclusive note for great personal and professional teachings marking Ferraro’s legacy, new beginnings were witnessed as the crowd gazed up at the lamp post for the unveiling of the “Geraldine Ferraro Way” sign. It was followed by a cheer. This emotionally noble vision and sound will be forever etched in our hearts, and for the future of those who walk in her path locally or nationally.
To learn more about Geraldine Ferraro, explore our Famous Residents of Forest Hills Gardens Biography.
