<P> Geraldine Anne `` Gerry '' Ferraro ( August 26 , 1935 -- March 26 , 2011 ) was an American attorney and Democratic Party politician who served in the United States House of Representatives . In 1984 , she was the first female vice presidential candidate representing a major American political party . </P>
who was running as vice president in 1984
Geraldine Anne `` Gerry '' Ferraro