Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Anita Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was an American politician, educator, and author. She was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement and became the first African-American woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968, representing New York's 12th congressional district.

Early Life and Education

Shirley Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to immigrant parents from the Caribbean. She spent part of her childhood in Barbados, receiving a British education that she credited with giving her a strong academic foundation. Chisholm returned to the United States and attended Brooklyn College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1946. She later obtained a Master of Arts in elementary education from Columbia University.

Political Career

Chisholm began her political career in the New York State Assembly, serving from 1965 to 1968. In 1968, she made history by becoming the first African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives. During her tenure, she was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women's Political Caucus.

In 1972, Chisholm became the first African-American candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States, running as a Democrat. Her campaign slogan was "Unbought and Unbossed," reflecting her commitment to independent and progressive politics.

Legacy and Impact

Shirley Chisholm's legacy is marked by her pioneering efforts to break barriers for women and minorities in politics. She was a vocal advocate for education reform, women's rights, and social justice. Her autobiography, "Unbought and Unbossed," published in 1970, remains an influential work in American political literature.

Chisholm's contributions to American society have been recognized posthumously with numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Barack Obama in 2015.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Congressional Black Caucus
• National Women's Political Caucus
• Presidential Medal of Freedom

References

Shirley,

 Unbought and Unbossed, 
  
 Houghton Mifflin, 
 1970, 
  
  
 ISBN 978-0-395-06813-9,

Shirley Chisholm Full text,

 , 
 History.com,

External Links

• Shirley Chisholm Biography
• National Women's History Museum: Shirley Chisholm