Five ways Bella Abzug opened up politics to women and fought for social change

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer.

New York Representative Bella Abzug was the most recognizable woman in politics in the 1970s.

Even so, she is largely forgotten today. Known for wearing flashy hats, she was a spitfire personality and charismatic orator closely covered by the press. She became an overnight political celebrity with fans lining up to gain her autograph. This cultural cache has obscured focus from her substantive work as a self-described...