Bella Abzug
Bella Abzug
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Bella Savitzky Abzug was an American lawyer, politician, and women's rights activist. She is often referred to as the "Queen of Mean" due to her strong personality and unapologetic style.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: July 24, 1920
Died: March 31, 1998
Nationality and Profession(s)
Abzug was an American citizen. Her professions included:
Lawyer
Politician (U.S. Representative from New York's 19th Congressional District)
Women's rights activistEarly Life and Background
Bella Abzug was born in the Bronx, New York City, to a Jewish family. She grew up in a middle-class household with her parents and younger brother. Her father was a garment worker who struggled financially, which had an impact on Bella's understanding of social justice.
Abzug attended Hunter College High School, where she developed an interest in politics and began to develop her leadership skills. After completing high school, she went on to attend the New York University School of Law (NYU), graduating with a law degree in 1947.
Major Accomplishments
Abzug's accomplishments include:
She was one of the "Big Six" leaders of the women's liberation movement
Abzug played a key role in the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibited employment discrimination based on sex
She ran for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 1972
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions attributed to Bella Abzug include:
Abzug was a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice throughout her career. In addition to her work on the Civil Rights Act, she also supported the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and reproductive rights
She founded the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), which aimed to increase women's participation in politics
Impact and Legacy
Bella Abzug left a lasting impact on American society. Her tireless advocacy for social justice and her trailblazing career as a woman in politics paved the way for future generations of women leaders.
Abzug's legacy extends beyond her own achievements, however. She helped to shift the national conversation around issues like sexism and racism, paving the way for greater progress toward equality and fairness.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bella Abzug is widely quoted and remembered due to her unapologetic style and unwavering commitment to social justice. Her sharp wit and biting humor made her a formidable force in politics and beyond, inspiring countless individuals with her words and actions.
Quotes by Bella Abzug
The inside operation of Congress – the deals, the compromises, the selling out, the co-opting, the unprincipled manipulating, the self-serving career-building – is a story of such monumental decadence that I believe if people find out about it they will demand an end to it.
If we get a government that reflects more of what this country is really about, we can turn the century – and the economy – around.
I prefer the word “homemaker” because “housewife” always implies that there might be a wife someplace else.
The test of whether or not you can hold a job should not be in the arrangement of your chromosomes.
I’ve spent a lifetime in challenge. There’s no way in which you can create any meaningful change unless you do that.
Abortion doesn’t belong in the political arena. It’s a private right, like many other rights concerning the family.
Women’s struggle for equality worldwide is about more than equality between men and women. Our struggle is about reversing the trends of social, economic, political, and ecological crisis – a global nervous breakdown! Our struggle is about creating sustainable lives and attainable dreams.
Women will not simply be mainstreamed into the polluted stream. Women are changing the stream, making it clean and green and safe for all – every gender, race, creed, sexual orientation, age, and ability.