Geraldine Ferraro: Paving the Way

Gr 9 Up—Filmmaker Donna Zaccaro, daughter of Geraldine Ferraro, has created an inspiring, uplifting biography of her mother, the first female vice president nominee. Zaccaro delves into the details of Ferraro's early life and the struggles she faced growing up. Ferraro was named after an older brother who was killed in an automobile accident, and living in his shadow affected her deeply. Her father passed away when she was only eight, and the documentary recounts how she overcame adversity and poverty to succeed in politics and law, becoming a strong advocate for equal rights. Her message, in the words of her own mother, was "You can be whatever you want to be, as long as you work hard." As a result, Ferraro helped to lay the groundwork for women in politics today. The film takes viewers back in time with historical footage interlaid with current interviews with many newsworthy figures, such as Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Hillary Rodham Clinton, President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, among others. Ferraro's life story is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. For the most part, this film is a tribute to Ferraro, though it also covers controversies during and after her campaign. Fast paced, informative, and captivating, this profile has just the right combination of interviews and historical footage to hold viewers' attention throughout. (It originally aired on Showtime.)—Ellen Frank, Flushing High School, New York, NY