"I've been described as a tough and noisy woman, a prize fighter, a man-hater, you name it. They call me Battling Bella, Mother Courage, and a Jewish mother with more complaints than Portnoy."
There once was a short, tough, mouthy old Jewish broad who wore funny hats. And she was one of the greatest New Yorkers who ever lived.
Her name was Bella Abzug (1920-1998), and she was way ahead of her time. She served in the New York State legislature in the 1960s and the US House of Representatives in the 1970s, when very few women did. Long before it was fashionable or safe to do so, she was an outspoken supporter of human rights, women's rights, gay rights, and the state of Isreal. As a young lawyer in the early 1950s -- think about it, a young female lawyer in the conservative, patriarchial 1950s -- she fought against the viscious witch-hunting of Joe McCarthy and the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. She opposed the Vietnam War before it became popular to do so. She was against the nuclear arms race. And on top of all that, she was married for 44 years and raised two successful daughters.
Long before Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, Bella took on the Establishment. She ran for Senate 1976 and for Mayor in 1977 and damn near won both races. Always outspoken, never shrinking from a fight, she was colorful, strong, and fearless. She fought the good fight -- sometimes winning, sometimes losing -- but never giving up. She made women proud and sexist men shake with fear. She was the best.
Looking at our so-called leaders today, I can't think of anyone -- male, female, or other -- who can hold a candle to her. There isn't one politician in New York City today who comes close to her level. Today's politicians are all so dry and poll-tested and boring. They play it safe.
But Bella didn't. History isn't made and things aren't changed by playing it safe. And Bella never did.
Bella Abzug was everything that makes New York City and America great. She died more than ten years ago but she was and will always be one of the greatest New Yorkers.
P.S. In Woody Allen's great movie Manhattan, Bella makes a short cameo as herself when she makes a short speech about the Equal Rights Amendment. A great movie with a great lady.
There once was a short, tough, mouthy old Jewish broad who wore funny hats. And she was one of the greatest New Yorkers who ever lived.
Her name was Bella Abzug (1920-1998), and she was way ahead of her time. She served in the New York State legislature in the 1960s and the US House of Representatives in the 1970s, when very few women did. Long before it was fashionable or safe to do so, she was an outspoken supporter of human rights, women's rights, gay rights, and the state of Isreal. As a young lawyer in the early 1950s -- think about it, a young female lawyer in the conservative, patriarchial 1950s -- she fought against the viscious witch-hunting of Joe McCarthy and the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. She opposed the Vietnam War before it became popular to do so. She was against the nuclear arms race. And on top of all that, she was married for 44 years and raised two successful daughters.
Long before Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin, Bella took on the Establishment. She ran for Senate 1976 and for Mayor in 1977 and damn near won both races. Always outspoken, never shrinking from a fight, she was colorful, strong, and fearless. She fought the good fight -- sometimes winning, sometimes losing -- but never giving up. She made women proud and sexist men shake with fear. She was the best.
Looking at our so-called leaders today, I can't think of anyone -- male, female, or other -- who can hold a candle to her. There isn't one politician in New York City today who comes close to her level. Today's politicians are all so dry and poll-tested and boring. They play it safe.
But Bella didn't. History isn't made and things aren't changed by playing it safe. And Bella never did.
Bella Abzug was everything that makes New York City and America great. She died more than ten years ago but she was and will always be one of the greatest New Yorkers.
P.S. In Woody Allen's great movie Manhattan, Bella makes a short cameo as herself when she makes a short speech about the Equal Rights Amendment. A great movie with a great lady.
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