Costanza was the first woman to hold the office of assistant to the president of the United States when President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the position of assistant to the president for public liaison in 1977, according to a release from the office of openly lesbian San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
She was a link between the president and a wide range of groups who previously had limited access to the White House. She was particularly active in fighting for women’s equality, advocating for many issues, including the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, for the protection of women’s reproductive rights, and for the appointment of more women to high office.
Costanza was involved in the historic first meeting between a presidential administration and gay- and lesbian-rights leaders that took place March 26, 1977—an event Chicago historian William Kelley, among others, attended. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey said in a statement that Costanza “took a risk in working to ensure our voices were heard at the highest echelons of government. In this regard, she was a pioneer, and for this, we will forever be grateful.”
Constanza was not out about her sexuality, but many close friends knew she was a lesbian and said so after her death.
POZ Magazine founder Sean Strub wrote, “When I read Dan Choi’s eloquent comments in this week’s Newsweek, asking what each of us is willing to risk to achieve our freedom, it made me think of Midge’s personal courage and commitment in 1977. When she was forced to resign, it was in part because of the controversy over her inviting NGTF (now The Task Force) to the White House. We have all benefited from the price she was willing to pay.”