SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Karen DeCrow, the feminist attorney who died Friday at 76,

was a fearless trailblazer for women's rights and gender equality, friends and

colleagues recalled.

Karen DeCrow's obiturary.

"Karen consistently challenged the way women and men view their roles in society and in a family," said state Supreme Court Justice Deborah H. Karalunas. "She dreamed of a world where the gender of a baby would have little or no relevance to the future pursuits or pleasure of that person. And she dedicated her life to that."

In 1969 DeCrow ran for mayor of Syracuse and became the first female mayoral candidate of a major city in New York state.

At Syracuse University College of Law, which she entered in her early 30s, she was the only female in her class, she said in a 2013 interview. She earned her law degree in 1972.

In the early 1970s DeCrow led the local chapter of the National Organization for Women, and became its third national president in 1974.

Intelligent, witty and outspoken, DeCrow was always cordial, colleagues said. In the 1980s and early 1990s, DeCrow traveled the nation visiting college campuses to debate her philosophical opposite, Phyllis Schlafly, founder of the Eagle Forum. They met for more than 80 debates. Schlafly remains as opposed to feminism as DeCrow was for it.

"I don't think she ever did anything mean and nasty like some I debated," said Schlafly, by phone from St. Louis. "She was pleasant and easy to deal with."

"She certainly was a role-model for many of us," said U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Rosemary Pooler. "Not so much about feminism but for actually putting yourself on the front line of the feminist struggle."

Twice married and twice divorced, DeCrow carried the surname of her second husband, Roger DeCrow. She had no children.

Fearless on social issues, DeCrow never used a computer, said her longtime friend, Rowena "Rocki" Malamud, who is president of the Greater Syracuse chapter of NOW.

Working out of an office in her Jamesville home, she wrote notes by hand and used a typewriter for longer pieces. When she needed to research something on a computer she had law students she employed do it for her, said Malamud.

Betty Bone Schiess, of Cicero, one of the first women to be ordained an Episcopal priest in 1974, said DeCrow's encouragement to pursue ordination is what propelled her.

"It was all because of Karen," said Bone Schiess. "She realized then it was a very important issue for all religions, not just for the Episcopal Church."

Stephanie Miner, Syracuse's mayor, said DeCrow helped open the way for her to become Syracuse's first female mayor.

"Never did Karen think why something couldn't be done. She stood up and was the change she sought to bring to our community," Miner said. "Her perseverance, dedication, and strong work ethic made a major difference in our community and across the country."

Contact Dave Tobin at 470-3277, dtobin@syracuse.com or via Twitter: @dttobin

