Early Years
Shirley Chisolm was born on November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. She was the eldest of four children, raised by her parents Charles and Ruby St. Hill. Chisolm attended a segregated elementary school, where she and her family experienced racial discrimination. She was an outstanding student and was accepted to Brooklyn College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1945.
Career
Chisolm began her career as an educator, working as a nursery school director and then as an educational consultant in New York City. In 1964, she was elected to the New York State Assembly. In 1968, she was elected to the United States Congress, representing New York’s 12th Congressional District in the House of Representatives for seven terms.
US Congress
Shirley Chisolm made history in 1968 when she became the first African American woman to be elected to the United States Congress. She represented New York's 12th Congressional District in the House of Representatives for seven terms. During her tenure, she introduced over 50 pieces of legislation including the Full Employment Act, which would have provided jobs for the unemployed. She was an advocate for the poor and sought to provide them with access to education, housing, and healthcare.
Presidential Run
In 1972, Shirley Chisolm made history again when she became the first African-American woman to run for the Democratic Party’s Presidential nomination. Her campaign slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed”, was a rallying cry for women and African-Americans everywhere. Although she did not win the nomination, her run for office inspired a generation of activists and politicians to fight for their rights regardless of their gender or race.
Accomplishments
During her tenure in Congress, Chisolm introduced over 50 pieces of legislation, including the Full Employment Act, which would have provided jobs for the unemployed. She was an advocate for the poor and sought to provide them with access to education, housing, and healthcare. In 1972, Chisolm made history again when she became the first African-American woman to run for the Democratic Party’s Presidential nomination.
