WOMEN IN HISTORY - BELLA ABZUG

United States Congresswoman and rights activist

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DATE OF BIRTH

July 24, 1920

PLACE OF BIRTH

New York, New York

DATE OF DEATH

March 31, 1998

PLACE OF DEATH

New York, New York

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Nicknamed “Battling Bella” and known for her colorful, iconic hats, she was a labor and civil rights attorney, and served in the House of Representatives, representing New York from 1971-1977.  Both before and after her congressional tenure, Ms. Abzug was known as a leader in the women’s movement and as a social activist.  She was an opponent of the war in Vietnam, and an advocate for Zionism, as well as an early activist for gay rights and environmental issues.  A year before her death, she received the highest civilian honor at the United Nations, the Blue Beret Peacekeeper’s Award.