Geraldine Ferraro Interview : Pt 1

Linda Wertheimer (o/s) asks U.S. House Representative Geraldine Ferraro (D-NY) if she believes legislation can deal with women's issues, referring to 20th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. Ferraro explains difference between comparable worth and comparable pay. Three committees are currently dealing with this issue, one of which she is the chair. Rep. Ferraro states key point in Women's Economic Equity Act deals with pension program, which can make a difference at little cost. Ferraro explains how female senior citizens in her district, who have led traditional lives as housewives, are now widows on Social Security who get less because they did not contribute to the fund and their husbands didn't elect for survivor benefits within their unions. The Equity Act would require women to sign a waiver foregoing those union benefits.