Historical Figure
Shirley Chisholm
1924–2005
American politician (1924–2005)
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Biography
Shirley Anita Chisholm was an American politician who, in 1968, became the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. Chisholm represented New York's 12th congressional district, a district centered in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Throughout her career, she was known for taking "a resolute stand against economic, social, and political injustices", as well as being a strong supporter of black civil rights and women's rights.
In Their Own Words (5)
When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses.
p. 108. , 1970
Of my two handicaps, being female put many more obstacles in my path than being black.
Reported in "Shirley Chisholm Kicks Off Campaign for U.S. Presidency" by Ronald E. Kisner, Jet, Vol. 41, no. 20 (Feb. 1972), p. 12. , 1972
Congress seems drugged and inert most of the time. Even when the problems it ignores build up to crises and erupt in strikes, riots, and demonstrations, it has not moved. Its idea of meeting a problem is to hold hearings or, in extreme cases, to appoint a commission.
p. 104. , 1970
I don't measure America by its achievement but by its potential.
p. 175. , 1970
The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, 'It's a girl.'
Reported in Anthology : Quotations and Sayings of People of Color (1973) by Walter B. Hoard, p. 36. , 1973
Timeline
The story of Shirley Chisholm, told in moments.
Won a seat in the New York State Assembly, overcoming resistance from men in her own party who thought a woman couldn't win. She'd spent years in early-childhood education and local Democratic politics.
Elected to Congress, becoming the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve. Represented Brooklyn's 12th district. Her campaign slogan: "Unbought and Unbossed."
Ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. First Black candidate from a major party. First woman to run for the Democratic nomination. Won 152 delegates. George Wallace, shot during his own campaign, sent her flowers in the hospital. She visited him.
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