Liz Abzug
Liz Abzug is the daughter of the late Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York, who served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977.
Featured Audio
"My Mother Had a Sense of Style"
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"My Mother Had a Sense of Style"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
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Deed of Gift
Abstract & Transcript
In this interview, Liz Abzug reflects on the life and career of her mother, the late Representative Bella Abzug of New York, from her roots in the Bronx to her campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1970s. Throughout, Abzug describes the way her mother’s work as a pioneering civil rights lawyer, women’s rights activist, and anti-war protester shaped her experience in Congress.
Liz Abzug provides a unique perspective on her mother’s political career. She recalls distributing leaflets, making street-corner speeches, and organizing events for each of her mother’s House campaigns in her New York City congressional district. She discusses her mother’s inimitable personality and her prominent place in national politics during her time on Capitol Hill—and the way this affected her family’s life at home in New York City. Abzug’s oral history also describes her mother’s many political battles in New York and in Washington and highlights groundbreaking aspects of her legislative agenda, which included bills related to financial independence for women, government transparency, and gay rights.
Liz Abzug provides a unique perspective on her mother’s political career. She recalls distributing leaflets, making street-corner speeches, and organizing events for each of her mother’s House campaigns in her New York City congressional district. She discusses her mother’s inimitable personality and her prominent place in national politics during her time on Capitol Hill—and the way this affected her family’s life at home in New York City. Abzug’s oral history also describes her mother’s many political battles in New York and in Washington and highlights groundbreaking aspects of her legislative agenda, which included bills related to financial independence for women, government transparency, and gay rights.
Biography
Liz Abzug was born in Manhattan. Her mother, the late Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York, served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977. Liz Abzug grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, before the family moved back to the city, where they lived in Greenwich Village. She graduated from high school in New York City and attended Boston University and Hofstra University Law School. While in college, she worked for her mother’s House campaigns as well as her unsuccessful races for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1976, Mayor of New York City in 1977, and a potential return to the House in 1986.
Abzug worked in state government promoting economic development initiatives for New York’s Urban Development Corporation. She was also the deputy commissioner of operations of New York State Division of Human Rights, a statewide rights enforcement agency. In 1991, she ran for a seat on the New York City Council. Four years later, Abzug started a public affairs and management consulting firm. She is the president of the nonprofit Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, which she founded in 2005. She teaches courses in urban studies and economic development at Barnard College and lives in New York City.
Abzug worked in state government promoting economic development initiatives for New York’s Urban Development Corporation. She was also the deputy commissioner of operations of New York State Division of Human Rights, a statewide rights enforcement agency. In 1991, she ran for a seat on the New York City Council. Four years later, Abzug started a public affairs and management consulting firm. She is the president of the nonprofit Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, which she founded in 2005. She teaches courses in urban studies and economic development at Barnard College and lives in New York City.
Audio
"I Knew My Life Was Never Going to Be the Same"
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"I Knew My Life Was Never Going to Be the Same"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
Campaigning for Mom
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Campaigning for Mom
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
"You've Got to Go Speak"
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"You've Got to Go Speak"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
"Campaigning in the Streets"
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"Campaigning in the Streets"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
Running in a New District
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Running in a New District
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
"My Mother Had a Sense of Style"
|
|
"My Mother Had a Sense of Style"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
Speaking "Out and Loud" on Capitol Hill
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Speaking "Out and Loud" on Capitol Hill
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
Getting A "Chance at Equality"
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Getting A "Chance at Equality"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
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Deed of Gift
Introducing the Equality Act
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Introducing the Equality Act
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
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Deed of Gift
Dining Out with Bella Abzug
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Dining Out with Bella Abzug
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
Political Family
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Political Family
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
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Deed of Gift
"He Could Handle It"
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"He Could Handle It"
Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
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Liz Abzug, Daughter of U.S. Representative Bella Savitzky Abzug of New York
Interview recorded November 20, 2018
–
Deed of Gift
Images & Artifacts
Family Photo
Liz Abzug (middle) sat with her mother, sister, and father.
Image courtesy of Liz and Eve Abzug, provided by the Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives
New York Congresswomen
Liz Abzug posed for a photograph with her mother Representative Abzug, Donna Zaccaro (Ferraro's daughter), and Representative Geraldine Ferraro.
Image courtesy of Liz and Eve Abzug, provided by the Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives
Congresswomen Mink and Abzug
Representative Abzug photographed with Hawaii Representative Patsy Mink. The two Congresswomen served together in the House for three terms.
Image courtesy of Liz and Eve Abzug, provided by the Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives
With the Speaker
Congresswoman Abzug appeared at a press event outside the U.S. Capitol with Speaker Thomas Philip (Tip) O’Neill of Massachusetts.
Image courtesy of Liz and Eve Abzug, provided by the Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives
Bella Savitzky Abzug Shopping Bag
In her interview, Liz Abzug remembers her mother "campaigning in the streets" and handing out bags like this one in order to promote name recognition.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Bella Abzug Handbill
In her oral history, Liz Abzug discusses her mother's well-known slogan, "This woman's place is in the House."
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
About this object
About this object
Campaigning
Congresswoman Abzug met constituents in a grocery store.
Image courtesy of Liz and Eve Abzug, provided by the Office of the Historian, U.S. House of Representatives