American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca released the following statement today on the passing of their friend Geraldine Ferraro

American Cultural Ambassadors David and Renate Jakupca released the following statement today on the passing of their friend and former colleague Geraldine Ferraro: / ARK in Berea / Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 / "We are deeply saddened at the passing of our friend who did so much to advance the issues for womenkind Worldwide. Geraldine Ferraro was a dear friend and former United Nations alumni who accomplishments will be revered by many. Gerry was a brilliant and courageous woman who drive and spirit pioneered a legacy that has inspired us all, especially upcoming women leaders...... For posterity, the best salute we can give to her is to make sure the advances she helped achieve are not rolled back. During the 1993 United Nations Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna, Austria, the UN asked the member Nations how the information generated at the UN Conferences could get down to the people where it would do the most good. Renate and David Jakupca from ICEA, Official UN Observers to the Conference, suggested the information be sent on tour after the Conference closes. With the approval of US Delegates Geraldine Ferraro and Jimmy Carter, ICEA starting promoting iceality and recycling all major UN conferences until 2005..... Everyone owes her a debt of gratitude. We at the International Center for Environmental Arts respected Gerry, and David and I loved her dearly and will miss her personally..... Peace Friend".

Here is some reaction to the death of Geraldine Ferraro, the first female vice presidential candidate:

• "Geraldine will forever be remembered as a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women, and Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life. ... Sasha and Malia will grow up in a more equal America because of the life Geraldine Ferraro chose to live." — President Barack Obama.
• "She was a remarkable woman and a dear human being. She was a pioneer in our country for justice for women and a more open society. She broke a lot of molds and it's a better country for what she did." — Democratic presidential candidate and Ferraro running mate Walter Mondale.
• "She broke one huge barrier and then went on to break many more. May her example of hard work and dedication to America continue to inspire all women." — 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on her Facebook page.
• "Though we were one-time political opponents, I am happy to say Gerry and I became friends in time — a friendship marked by respect and affection. I admired Gerry in many ways, not the least of which was the dignified and principled manner she blazed new trails for women in politics." — Former President George H.W. Bush.
• "In 1984, her nomination was greeted with thunderous applause in the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The drumbeat that Geraldine Ferraro began that day in July will continue for a long time to come. As a woman and Italian American, my family and I loved her dearly and will miss her personally." — House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
• "She died the way she lived, fully, actively, heroically courageous, trying to change things for the better. As the first woman vice president candidate and an outstanding member of Congress, she made women proud, she made her family proud, she made Italian-Americans proud." — Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.
• "Gerry Ferraro symbolized grace in every aspect of her life, as a wife, mother, grandmother, community activist, lawyer, businesswoman, philanthropist and public servant. She broke barriers with a matter-of-factness, modesty, and grace that made her achievements all the more important and becoming." — Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
• "Gerry Ferraro was one of a kind — tough, brilliant, and never afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believed in — a New York icon and a true American original. She was a champion for women and children and for the idea that there should be no limits on what every American can achieve." — statement by President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
• "Through her life in the public arena, Geraldine's accomplishments served as a milestone in our country's acceptance of equality and diversity. She is proof that a person can make a difference, and make a difference is what Geraldine did throughout her life." — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
• "She had to overcome a lot of impediments. ... She can certainly be counted among the pioneers in making certain that gender should not be a factor in limiting a person's contribution to society." — Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.
• "To residents of Queens, she was our hometown hero who never forgot her roots. Today we mourn the passing of a great American success story." — Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.__
• "It's a bittersweet moment to learn of Gerry passing as we near the end of Women's History Month. She opened the door for a generation of new leaders and certainly was an inspiration to me as I sought my own path in public service years ago." — New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.
• "As an eager young delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention, I can tell you first hand that Geraldine Ferraro thrilled us when she took the stage as the first woman ever nominated by a major political power to be its candidate for Vice President of the United States. It was absolutely electrifying." — New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
• "As a first generation Italian-American, she exemplified what it means to live the American dream and reminds us of the limitless opportunities afforded to all Americans with hard work and determination." — Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y.
• "Gerry's nomination was a milestone for women in the United States but it was only one facet of her lifetime of contributions. She was the daughter of immigrants who lived the American dream and succeeded at a time and a place when women were frequently overlooked and undervalued." — Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland.