Geraldine Ferraro Dies

Geraldine Ferraro, who made history as the first female vice presidential candidate of a major party, died Saturday morning at the age of 75.

Before her turn on the Democratic presidential ticket topped by Walter Mondale, Ferraro, who was born in Newburgh, New York, had a huge impact on Forest Hills and in Queens.

She cut her teeth in the political world as an assistant district attorney in Queens, before serving three terms in New York's 9th Congressional District, which encompasses all of Forest Hills, as well as parts of Brooklyn and the Rockaways. Currently, the seat belongs to Democrat Anthony Weiner.

Weiner said he was saddened by the news of Ferraro's death.

"Geraldine was a determined fighter for our nation and an historic figure who blazed trails for Italian-Americans, and especially for women," he said in a statement. "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.”