The 1984 Democratic Convention

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Celebrating women

Feminists inside and outside of the Democratic Party promoted the idea of a woman for Vice President for over a year before the convention. They got newspaper columnists to float the idea in the media and persuaded politically important people to take it seriously. By the time Mondale announced his selection of Geraldine Ferraro, a woman on the ticket had an air of inevitability.

Millie Jeffries wears the message

Women celebrated on Monday at a fundraiser for women candidates held in the San Francisco Opera House with Mondale and Ferraro as the featured guests. The Democratic ticket was greeted by some two thousand joyous people, mostly women.

On stage were several dozen feminist luminaries and female politicians.

Other prominent women also made their appearance.

Bella Abzug hugs Gerry Ferraro. Next to her are Dorothy Height, founder and President of the National Congress of Negro Women, and Walter Mondale. Betty Friedan with Walter Mondale. Congresswoman Pat Schroeder of Colorado speaks after the guests of honor leave.

The Women's Caucus

Chaired by Bella Abzug the Democratic Women's caucus met every morning. They debated many things, particularly the five minority reports to the platform. Although the platform is usually written by people chosen by the winning candidate, five planks proposed by Rev. Jesse Jackson or Gary Hart got enough votes on the full Platform Committee to be considered on the floor of the convention.

Bella Abzug The women's caucus exploded with enthusiasm when the Rev. Jackson addressed them. Gary Hart also spoke. Shirley Chisholm, who ran for President in 1972, was a popular speaker.

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