Letter From America

Marion McKeone: Remembering Pat Schroeder - Democratic trailblazer and pioneer for women’s rights

The formidable feminist, who died last week at the age of 82, spent 12 consecutive terms as a Colorado Democrat – ruffling the feathers of male politicians who believed a woman had no place in Congress

Pat Schroeder was a Democratic trailblazer who paved the way for Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and many more women. Picture: Getty

You can tell as much about a person by their enemies as their friends. And Pat Schroeder, the Democratic trailblazer who inspired women from Nancy Pelosi to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with her fearlessness, tenacity and wit, accumulated plenty of enemies during her quarter-century in Congress.

Iran-Contra mastermind Oliver North described her as one of America’s most dangerous politicians. Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich referred to her as “Little Patsy” even though she was easily five foot ...