In today’s moment in Women's History, we will highlight Shirley Chisholm, born November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, and who passed on January 1, 2005, in Ormond Beach, Florida.
A former teacher and child-care director, she stepped into politics and made history in 1968 as the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. For seven terms she represented New York’s 12th district, earning the nickname “Fighting Shirley” while she introduced dozens of bills, co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women’s Political Caucus, and fought for quality education, civil rights, women’s rights, and an end to the Vietnam War. Her campaign slogan said it all: “Unbought and Unbossed.”
In 1972 she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination becoming the first Black person and the first woman ever to do so from a major party. Facing racism and sexism at every turn, she still picked up delegates and proved one determined voice can shake the system.
Fun Fact: At her campaign launch she said, “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement… although I am a woman, and I am equally proud of that. I am the candidate of the people of America.” She refused to be reduced to a symbol…she ran for everyone.
Remember…Education is freedom of mind and never should be colorblind.
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