Ronnie Eldridge

Ronnie Eldridge
Born Ronnie Myers Eldridge
Occupation Activist, Businesswoman, Politician, Television host
Alma mater Barnard College class of 1952
Spouse
  • Lawrence O. Eldridge
    (1955–70; his death)
  • Jimmy Breslin (1982-present)
Children Daniel M. Eldridge
Emily Eldridge
Lucy Eldridge

Literature portal

Ronnie Eldridge is an American activist, businesswoman, politician, and television host. She is the current host of Eldridge & Co., a weekly television talk show on CUNY TV, the television station of the City University of New York.[1]

Life and career

In 1977, Eldridge resigned from a position as an executive producer at Channel 13 to enter politics and run for president of the borough of Manhattan, asking, "Does anyone honestly believe that the whole household of Manhattan can be run by men alone?."[2] A protegee of Robert F. Kennedy, she went on to serve New York City's Mayor John V. Lindsay as Special Assistant, and was the only female member of the cabinet of New York Governor Mario Cuomo serving as Director of the Division for Women. Equal parts entrepreneurial and political she spearheaded Special Projects for MS Magazine and served as Executive Director of the MS Foundation for Women. From 1989 to 2001, she represented the Upper West Side on New York's City Council. Since then she has worked on various political projects as well as several business ventures and activism campaigns focusing on women's rights.[3] She is married to Jimmy Breslin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. The celebrated marriage between the feminist politician and the gruff city columnist inspired the CBS show, "American Nuclear." She and her husband are the parents of nine children and 11 grandchildren.

References

  1. "Eldridge & Co.". CUNY Television. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. Quindlen, Anna (18 May 1977). "Ronnie Eldridge Becomes Fourth To Enter Race to Succeed Sutton". New York Times.
  3. "CWI - The Commissioners". Website of the City of New York. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
Political offices
Preceded by
Ruth Messinger
New York City Council, 6th District
19892002
Succeeded by
Gale Brewer