Bella Abzug
Bella Abzug – Life, Career, and Legacy
Explore the life of Bella Abzug (1920–1998) — American lawyer, politician, feminist pioneer, and “Battling Bella.” This in-depth biography covers her early years, legal advocacy, congressional career, activism, and enduring impact.
Introduction
Bella Savitzky Abzug (July 24, 1920 – March 31, 1998) was a trailblazing American lawyer, politician, and activist. Known for her bold style and unwavering commitment to justice, she became one of the leading voices of the feminist movement and a powerful advocate for civil rights, environmentalism, peace, and women’s political participation. Her fearless approach earned her the nickname “Battling Bella.”
Staying relevant in political and social spheres long after her time in Congress, Abzug helped reshape American ideas about gender, power, and public service.
Early Life and Family
Bella Abzug was born Bella Savitzky on July 24, 1920, in New York City, to Jewish immigrant parents from Chernihiv (then in the Russian Empire).
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Her father, Emanuel Savitzky, ran a butcher shop (“Live and Let Live Meat Market”) on Ninth Avenue.
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Her mother, Esther (née Tanklevsky/Tanklefsky), was a homemaker.
When Bella was 13, her father died, thrusting her into both emotional and symbolic confrontation with tradition. In her Orthodox synagogue, women were not permitted to recite the Kaddish (mourner’s prayer). Because she was the only child, she defied convention by going to the synagogue every morning for a year to recite it, challenging the gendered norms of religious practice.
In school, she showed early leadership qualities. She attended Walton High School in the Bronx, where she was class president.
She went on to Hunter College (earning her B.A. in 1942) while also attending courses at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Columbia University Law School, becoming editor of the Columbia Law Review and earning her LL.B. in 1945 (or 1947 in some accounts).
Legal Career and Early Activism
After law school, Abzug joined the firm of Pressman, Witt & Cammer, where she focused on labor law, tenant rights, civil liberties, and civil rights cases.
She did significant work in the South on civil rights legal cases. One of her notable early—and risky—cases was her involvement in the appeal for Willie McGee, a Black man in Mississippi convicted (in a deeply unfair trial) of assaulting a white woman. Abzug’s efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and McGee was executed, but the case became a rallying point in her commitment to justice.
During the McCarthy era, she was among the few attorneys willing to defend individuals called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and those accused of Communist ties.
In the 1960s, Abzug helped found Women Strike for Peace (WSP) in 1961, which advocated against nuclear proliferation and later became a vocal force in anti-Vietnam War activism.
Her outspoken activism and liberal positions put her on President Richard Nixon’s famous “enemies list.”
Congressional Career
Elections and Tenure
In 1970, Abzug ran for Congress in a Manhattan district and won a dramatic upset in the Democratic primary over a long-time incumbent, Leonard Farbstein. Her campaign slogan was memorable:
“This woman's place is in the House — the House of Representatives.”
She subsequently defeated Republican radio host Barry Farber in the general election.
Because of redistricting, her original district was eliminated in 1972. She challenged Representative William Fitts Ryan in a primary—but Ryan died before the general election. Abzug won the nomination via the Democratic convention and then the general election.
She served three terms in the U.S. House, from 1971 to January 3, 1977.
Legislative Focus and Achievements
While in Congress, Abzug pursued a wide array of progressive causes:
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She introduced the first federal gay rights bill (the Equality Act of 1974), with Representative Ed Koch.
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She was a fierce supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), women’s rights, childcare, and work/family policies.
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She chaired and led historic hearings on government secrecy as chair of the Subcommittee on Government Information and Individual Rights.
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Abzug sponsored the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which banned discrimination in credit transactions on the basis of sex, marital status, race, and more.
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She supported freedom of information and passage of “sunshine laws” to make government more transparent.
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On her first day in Congress, she introduced a resolution demanding withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam and called for abolishing the draft.
Despite her activism, she was sometimes a polarizing presence; her colleagues voted her among the more influential House members.
Post-Congressional Runs
In 1976 she ran for the U.S. Senate (Democratic primary) but narrowly lost to Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
In 1977 she ran for Mayor of New York City but was defeated in the primary.
She made further attempts to return to Congress (in 1978 and in 1986), but was unsuccessful.
Activism & Leadership Beyond Congress
Even after leaving elective office, Abzug continued to lead and build movements:
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In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed her co-chair of the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year; she presided over the 1977 National Women’s Conference in Houston.
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She later co-chaired the National Advisory Committee for Women until 1979, but was removed after publicly criticizing Carter’s budget cuts to women’s programs—this created friction with parts of the feminist movement and Carter’s administration.
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Abzug founded advocacy organizations such as Women USA and, together with Mim Kelber, WEDO (Women’s Environment and Development Organization) in 1991, which blended feminism with global environmental and development issues.
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She was a strong voice in international feminist forums—participating in global conferences such as the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
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Even in her last years, though impaired and using a wheelchair, she continued traveling, speaking, and giving her final major address before the United Nations in March 1998.
Personality, Style & Public Image
Bella Abzug was known not only for what she stood for, but how she presented herself:
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She was rarely seen without a wide-brimmed hat, which became her signature. The hats served both a practical and symbolic purpose: when she started in law practice, women lawyers were often mistaken for secretaries, so the hat helped her stand out.
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Her speech was bold, frank, and fiercely rhetorical. Her New York accent and combative style earned both admiration and criticism.
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She coined and leaned into her nickname “Battling Bella.”
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She was also known for demanding professionalism in Congress and pushing against seniority norms, speaking out early and aggressively rather than quietly acclimating.
Famous Quotes
Here are some memorable lines attributed to Bella Abzug (or linked with her persona):
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“This woman's place is in the House — the House of Representatives!” (Her 1970 campaign slogan)
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“It's what’s under the hat that counts.” (On her signature hats)
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“Women will run the 21st century. … This is going to be the women’s century and young people are going to be its leaders.” (From a later speech)
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“We cannot be free as long as our human rights are violated, as long as we don't have economic equality, and as long as we are not participating in gender-balanced political bodies.” (Her last major public address, March 1998)
These quotes encapsulate her blend of advocacy, vision, and unflinching demands for equity.
Legacy and Influence
Bella Abzug’s impact continues to resonate across multiple domains:
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Feminist and women’s political leadership
She co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus (with Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm) in 1971 to encourage women to run for public office. -
Linking social justice and environmentalism
Through WEDO, Abzug contributed to pioneering the intersection of gender equity and environmental development, shaping global feminist environmental agendas. -
Government transparency & civil liberties
Her work in Congress helped push forward sunshine laws, freedom of information, and oversight of government secrecy. -
Symbol of bold political style for women
Her public image—brash, outspoken, boldly feminine—challenged expectations of how women should act in politics. Many women politicians since cite her as an influence. -
Institutional recognition & memorials
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In 1994, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
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Her daughter later established the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute (BALI) to mentor and train young women leaders.
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In 2023–2024, a documentary Bella! was released chronicling her life and influence.
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In New York, portions of a street and a park (Hudson Yards Park) have been renamed in her honor.
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Her legacy is complex: some criticize her for audacity or confrontational style, but many hail her as a foundational figure in the second-wave feminist movement and a bridge between civil rights, peace, feminist, and environmental movements.
Lessons from Bella Abzug’s Life
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Be audacious in name and approach — Abzug claimed space (literally and figuratively) in institutions that did not expect or welcome her.
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Integrate causes, don’t silo them — She saw intersections among gender, peace, civil liberties, and environment.
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Style and symbol matter — Her trademark hats were not fluff but identifiers, signaling presence, seriousness, and disruption.
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Persistence beyond office — Even after losing elections, she remained influential through advocacy, organizing, and institution-building.
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Challenge internal norms — From synagogue rules to congressional seniority, she pushed conventions that limited women or dissenters.
Conclusion
Bella Abzug (1920–1998) was a rare figure: a lawyer, politician, feminist pioneer, environmentalist, and provocateur who reshaped American public life. Her life story demonstrates the power of voice, the necessity of coalition, and the meaning of political courage.