Images(2)

Button, Campaign

Object number2019.89.28

Date1980

MediumMetal; Paper; Ink; Plastic

Credit LineGift of Virginia Caliguiri

DescriptionCircular pinback campaign button. Front of button has white background with purple text at top and two horizontal purple lines with red candidate name between. Front of button is covered in plastic layer. Shiny silver metal backer with pinback across center.DimensionsDiameter x Depth: 2.188 × 0.375 in. (5.6 × 1 cm)
InscriptionsFront of button has purple text at top "elect" and red text across center "JoAnn / PANZAR".
Historical NotesJoAnn Ginsburg Panzar campaign button that belonged to Virginia Caliguiri. Panzar ran against State Representative Ivan Itkin of the 23rd District. Panzar resigned as a state Public Utility Commission lawyer to wage her campaign. Panzar lost to Itkin. Ginny Caliguiri helped with the campaign's public relations and organization. Virginia "Ginny" Caliguiri was born and raised in an Italian American family the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. She lived among a small enclave of Calabrese families living on and around Imperial Street. Her older brother, Richard, was the 55th mayor of Pittsburgh from 1977 until his death from Amyloidosis in 1988. Ginny was very active in her brother’s campaign activities along with her mother, aunts, and other family members. She also participated annually in the Great Race, one of her brother’s city-wide initiatives, and other races like the Pittsburgh Marathon and the Amyloidosis race. Ginny worked in patient advocacy and emergency medical services. She was awarded the Director’s Award of Excellence from the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Emergency Medical Services by Glenn Cannon in 2009. She served on the Board of Directors for Allegheny County’s Emergency Medical Service Institute from 1984-1995 and won an Outstanding Service Award from the Allegheny County EMS in 1990.

Related person JoAnn Ginsburg Panzar

Previous owner Virginia Caliguiri

Subjects