Bella Abzug

Date of Birth: July 24, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: March 31, 1998

Biography

Bella Abzug, born Bella Savitsky, was a renowned American lawyer, social activist, and politician. Known for her iconic wide-brimmed hats and fiery personality, she was a leading figure in the feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Bella was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, in a Jewish immigrant family. She attended Hunter College and later Columbia Law School, where she earned her law degree in 1947. Abzug quickly made a name for herself as a civil rights and labor lawyer, often taking on high-profile cases. She became involved in politics, running for Congress in 1970 on an anti-Vietnam War platform and winning a seat in the House of Representatives. As a congresswoman, she was instrumental in advocating for women’s rights, environmental protection, and LGBTQ+ rights. Bella also co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus and was a key organizer for the Women’s Strike for Equality in 1970. After her congressional career, she continued her activism, participating in international women’s conferences and working on various social justice initiatives until her death in 1998.

5 Interesting Facts about Bella Abzug

1. Bella Abzug was one of the first members of Congress to champion gay rights, introducing the first federal gay rights bill in 1974.

2. She co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971 alongside Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan.

3. Abzug was known for her signature wide-brimmed hats, which she began wearing to ensure she would be taken seriously as a lawyer in a male-dominated profession.

4. She was an early advocate for environmental issues and helped pass the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

5. Bella Abzug was a key figure in organizing the first National Women’s Conference in Houston in 1977, a milestone event for the women’s movement.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bella Abzug

1. “This woman’s place is in the House—the House of Representatives!”

2. “Our struggle today is not to have a female Einstein get appointed as an assistant professor. It is for a woman schlemiel to get as quickly promoted as a male schlemiel.”

3. “Women have been trained to speak softly and carry a lipstick. Those days are over.”

4. “The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes.”

5. “I’ve been described as a tough and noisy woman, a prizefighter, a man-hater, you name it. They call me Battling Bella.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Bella Abzug’s net worth was primarily derived from her salary as a congresswoman and her legal practice. However, unlike many contemporary politicians, she did not amass significant personal wealth. Her net worth is estimated to have been modest, reflecting her focus on public service over personal financial gain.

Children

Bella Abzug had two daughters, Eve Gail Abzug and Liz Abzug. Both daughters have continued her legacy in various forms of public service and activism. Liz Abzug, in particular, has been an advocate for women’s rights and continues to work in politics and academia.