Geraldine Ferraro, the vice presidential running mate for Walter Mondale in 1984 and the first female on a major party ticket, has passed away today at the age of 75 after a 12 year battle with blood cancer.  She was also the first Italian American on a major party ticket. Her family has released this statement :

Geraldine Anne Ferraro Zaccaro was widely known as a leader, a fighter for justice, and a tireless advocate for those without a voice. To us, she was a wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, a woman devoted to and deeply loved by her family. Her courage and generosity of spirit throughout her life waging battles big and small, public and personal, will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

Governor Palin tweeted her respects regarding Ferraro’s passing:

So very sad, the passing of Geraldine Ferraro. God bless her family &friends;thank you for sharing this accomplished American with all of us

During the 2010 election,Governor Palin and Congresswoman Ferraro both commentated during election results coverage, the first time that both women, the only to have a place on a national presidential ticket, appeared together:

Gerraldine Ferraro was a classy stateswoman, and her family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.