Day 30 - Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm is known to many as the first Black Woman in Congress in 1968. Additionally, she was the first African American woman to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties in 1972. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 30, 1924. 

Growing up, Chisholm was encouraged by her teachers to become a politician. At an early age, she recognized that to be a “double handicap” because she was Black and female. 

After she won her seat in Congress in 1968, she became known as “Fighting Shirley”. During her term, she introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation while advocating for racial and gender equity, the plight of the poor and ending the Vietnam War. In 1971, she co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus.

In 1972 during her journey to gain the presidential nomination she was prohibited to participate in the presidential debates. After taking legal action she was permitted to make one speech. Despite enduring adversity, she garnered support from the African American community and followed on the “Chisholm Trail”. She earned 12 primaries and gained 152 delegates despite the heavy male presence on the Congressional Black Caucus and underfunded campaign. Shirley Chisholm is a prime example of how Black women were able to make something out of little to nothing. Of her legacy, Chisholm said, “I want to be remembered as a woman … who dared to be a catalyst of change.”

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