MIDGE COSTANZA, AIDE TO PRES. CARTER & SDSU PROFESSOR, DIES OF CANCER

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 

March 23, 2010 (San Diego) – Former White House aide Margaret "Midge" Costanza, 77, died today at Scripps Memorial Hospital following a long battle with cancer. Costanza made history in 1976 when President Jimmy Carter appointed her as assistant to the president, the first woman to occupy a senior position on the White House staff.

 

An outspoken champion of women’s rights and gay rights, Costanza has lived in San Diego for the past 20 years. Also an adjunct professor at San Diego State University in the political science, communication and women’s studies departments, she established the Midge Constanza Institute at SDSU to inspire young people to become active in political and social causes.

 

“From her days on the City Council of Rochester, NY, to the White House staff, to her recent service on the staff of District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Midge never lost sight of her one true purpose in life: to make our nation a better place, where women are full and equal partners, not just in theory – but in every real aspect of our lives from the class room to the board room to the White House. She was an amazing friend to us all,” said Vince Hall, vice president of public affairs and communications for Planned Parenthood in San Diego and Riverside Counties. Costanza was a long-time advocate of reproductive freedoms for women and a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood.
 

Costanza was a frequent speaker in the San Diego community, including appearances at East County Democratic events. “She will be missed,” said Linda Armacost, president of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club.

Born November 28, 1932 in New York to Sicilian immigrant sausage-makers, Costanza worked in clerical jobs after high school and became active in community organizations. She volunteered on W. Averell Harriman’s campaign for governor in 1954 and became county executive director of Robert F. Kennedy’s Senate campaign in 1964. She served as a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1972-77, then aws elected as Rochester’s first councilwoman. She ran for Congress in 1974 and lost. In 1976, she served as co-chair of Carter’s presidential campaign in New York and gave a televised speech seconding his nomination at the Democratic National Convention.
 

During Carter’s presidency, Costanza held an office next to the Oval Office. An unabashed feminist, she pushed the president to take stronger pro-choice stances on abortion. She sparked controversy by inviting 14 gay rights activists to the White House in an era when gay rights had not yet gained popularity with the public. She was featured on the cover of Newsweek in a story titled “Woman in the White House.”  Former President Carter, learning of Costanza's illness, reportedly called her several days before she died.

 

Costanza resigned from her post in 1978, later serving on boards of numerous organizations including the AIDS research group Search Alliance.
 

She coached political candidates on public speaking and strategies, serving as coordinator for Barbara Boxer’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in 1972. In 2000, Governor Gray Davis appointed her as special assistant to the governor and liaison for women’s groups and issues.
 

“We have all lost a dedicated champion and a strong and forceful advocate for true social justice and equality,” said Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer for the LGTB community center. “She was truly a pioneer in our movement, and made historic contributions to the struggle for equality for women and the LGBT community.”

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Midge Costanza Institue for Politicis and Public Policy. Checks payable to the Midge Costanza Institute may be sent to P.O. Box 15523, San Diego, CA 92175.
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.