Who was Pat Schroeder? Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Former Rep., Died
Pat Schroeder Wikipedia – Pat Schroeder Biography
Pat Schroeder, a pioneer for women’s and family rights in Congress and former Colorado Rep., has died. Schroeder’s former press secretary, Andrea Camp, said Schroeder suffered a stroke recently and died at a hospital in Florida, where she had been residing.
Schroeder represented Colorado’s 1st congressional district in the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997, becoming the first woman elected to Congress from Colorado. During her tenure, she was a champion of women’s rights and authored the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act.
Pat Schroeder Age
She was 82 years old.
Cause of Death
According to Andrea Camp, former press secretary for Schroeder, the congresswoman recently suffered a stroke and passed away in Celebration, Florida, where she had lived in recent years.
Throughout her 24-year tenure, Schroeder used her sharp wit and unconventional methods to challenge the powerful elite and push stodgy government institutions to recognize the important role of women in government. Though her approach cost her some important committee posts, she refused to compromise her principles by joining what she called “the good old boys’ club” simply for political gain.
If you grew up in Colorado in the 1970s and 80s as I did, you didn’t have to give a lick about politics to know that Pat Schroeder was a really big deal. Colorado’s 1st ever congresswoman represented Denver for 24 years. She was as witty and influential as Denver is a mile high. pic.twitter.com/9vvOB3JSDc
— Vic Vela (@VicVela1) March 14, 2023
Unafraid to publicly embarrass her congressional colleagues, Schroeder became an icon for the feminist movement.
Career
In 1972, Schroeder won a seat in Congress representing Colorado and went on to win reelection easily for the next 11 terms. She was popular in her safe Denver district and regarded as one of the most influential Democrats. Despite her seniority, she never got appointed to lead a committee.
Schroeder helped form several Democratic majorities before deciding to retire in 1997. The book marked her departure in 1998 titled “24 Years of Housework … and the Place is Still a Mess. My Life in Politics,” where she expressed her dissatisfaction with male domination and the slow pace of change in federal institutions.
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In 1987, Schroeder briefly explored a presidential run after fellow Coloradan Gary Hart dropped out of the race. However, she ultimately decided not to run and cited her lack of enthusiasm and distaste for fundraising.
Schroeder made history as the first woman to serve on the House Armed Services Committee but was forced to share a chair with another representative, Ron Dellums of California because committee chairman F. Edward Hebert of Louisiana thought that women and African Americans were not suited for the committee and were only worth half a seat each.
Schroeder’s quick wit and sharp tongue were evident in her famous quote when asked how she could balance being a mother of two young children and a member of Congress: “I have a brain and a uterus, and I use both.”
Schroeder also coined the term “Teflon President” to describe Ronald Reagan’s ability to avoid blame for significant policy decisions.
One of Schroeder’s notable accomplishments was the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which provided job protection for individuals caring for a newborn, sick child, or parent.
Representative Nita Lowey of New York, who succeeded Schroeder as the Democratic chair of the bipartisan congressional caucus on women’s issues, praised Schroeder for blazing the trail and being a role model for women in Congress.
Husband & Children
Pat Schroeder did indeed marry James W. Schroeder in 1962, and they had two children, Scott and Jamie.
