Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) seated opposite Linda Wertheimer in office; both talk informally on the daily activities occurring on Capitol Hill, and about the Women's Economic Equity Act before interview formally begins. Rep. Ferraro believes portions of the bill will pass.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) sitting opposite Linda Wertheimer in office. Wertheimer begins by stating the television program will address the U.S. relationship with the Soviet Union, and education; issues that women care very much about and have called attention to the gender gap. However, the most political document now is the budget. Wertheimer: "Is the growing political clout of women taken into account in that document?" Rep. Ferraro references programs like Aid for Dependent Children, Legal Services, Food Stamps, and Housing --- primarily used by women --- that have been put back into the budget with more funding, after previously being cut by the Reagan Administration. Buzzing sound interrupts interview. Ferraro reiterates her previous point once again, taking some credit for pushing for these programs as the only female Democrat on the Budget Committee.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Linda Wertheimer, off camera, asks U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) whether the Equal Rights Amendment and abortion, issues that brought women into politics, both for and against are still at the forefront of women’s issues today? Rep. Ferraro says both are still issues that women care about. Due to the increase of women in the workforce, the increase of single heads of household, and the “feminization of poverty”, women are increasingly looking at the current economic situation and asking how they can help themselves. So, in addition to the E.R.A. and abortion, women are interested in pensions, the Social Security Act, daycare that can help women get back into the workforce, so they can support themselves, and payments regarding child support/alimony. The Women’s Economic Equity Act is the vehicle by which women can begin to deal with these issues.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Linda Wertheimer, off camera, asks U.S. House Representatives Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) if there are enough men in Congress who support the bill, whether the bill can pass. Rep. Ferraro is pleased with the support male members of Congress have given to the bill; referencing the Congressional Caucus on Women’s Issues, the largest Caucus in the House of Representatives. Naturally, they need the help of male colleagues to pass the bill, since there are only twenty-two female House Representatives and two Senators. The bill has bipartisan support. Wertheimer asks if women are ready to start voting for and electing other women into office. Rep. Ferraro favors more women being elected to Congress increasing the clout they would have. However, she appreciates any male elected to Congress sharing concerns about, and voting for, women’s issues. Men have wives, mothers, and daughters, women’s issues should be important to them as well.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Linda Wertheimer (o/s) asks U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) what she means with the term “gender gap”; adult male, off camera, momentarily interrupts interview. Rep. Ferraro notes that women prefer Democrats over Republicans by a 13-14 point margin; the reasons why are because they feel they’re not getting equal pay, difficulty getting pensions, and discrimination in the job market. Ferraro notes recent polling that shows women, overall, are reacting differently from men, to programs, to public officials and to parties. She hopes the Democratic Party can seize on those different reactions.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Linda Wertheimer (o/s) sees Republicans and Democrats looking at recent polling and trying to exploit it to their advantage, asks "whether Democrats can hold on to the gender gap as a major aid in electing members of Congress, or perhaps even a President?" Rep. Geraldine Ferraro admits being pleased her party does better with women. As a woman, though, she is happy President and Republicans are reaching out to women on issues of economic concern. She believes Democrats can naturally hold on to the “gender gap” because Republicans are wrong on the Equal Right Amendment issue, wrong on abortion, and the Reagan administration has not come forward to support Women’s Economic Equity Act, in terms of legislation or budget dollars. When people talk about the Republican Party, they refer to this administration.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Linda Wertheimer (o/s) asks U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) if she believes legislation can deal with women's issues, referring to 20th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. Ferraro explains difference between comparable worth and comparable pay. Three committees are currently dealing with this issue, one of which she is the chair. Rep. Ferraro states key point in Women's Economic Equity Act deals with pension program, which can make a difference at little cost. Ferraro explains how female senior citizens in her district, who have led traditional lives as housewives, are now widows on Social Security who get less because they did not contribute to the fund and their husbands didn't elect for survivor benefits within their unions. The Equity Act would require women to sign a waiver foregoing those union benefits.
Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1
Linda Wertheimer (o/s) says President Ronald Reagan didn't support Equal Right Amendment, but favored equal rights for women using legislative and regulatory tactics, asks U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) whether she sees that as a possibility. Ferraro does not, thinks that would take the span of her and her daughter's lifetime to accomplish. Women's rights is a human and civil rights issue, sees E.R.A. as being necessary, and hopes the President can be convinced . Wertheimer notes the political climate for women to achieve their goals is favorable, but wonders if temporary. Ferraro sees female political clout growing, and lists the ways society is changing: more women in workforce, going to college, divorce increases, and single parenting is more common and accepted. These are signs women are more independent and entering professions never previously available to them before.