Shirley Chisholm (1924 - 2005) was born in New York. She became the first black woman elected to U.S. Congress in 1968, as a U.S. Representative for New York's 12th Congressional District. She was elected for seven terms, holding her seat in Congress until 1983. Mrs. Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn College with a B.A. in sociology in 1946 and received an M.A. in early childhood education in 1952 from Columbia University. Her political career began with her election to the New York State Assembly in 1964, where she championed for affordable child care, issues on poverty, and civil rights. Mrs. Chisholm was also one of the founding members of the women's movement group NOW (National Organization for Women) as well as the Black Congressional Caucus. (Marble 6)
In 1972, Shirley Chisholm began her bid for the Presidency of the United States. She was up against incumbent Republican President Richard Nixon. Although she had the support of many women's groups, as well as black groups, such as the Black Panthers, she eventually lost the primary to George McGovern. She was the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination as well as the first black individual to run for presidency on a major-party ticket.
Shirley Chisholm responded to questions about her failed nomination:
"All the odds had been against it, right up to the end. I never blamed anyone for doubting. The Presidency is for white males. No one was ready to take a black woman seriously as a candidate. It was not time for a black to run, let alone a woman, and certainly nor for someone who was both...I ran because someone has to do it first. In this country everybody is supposed to be able to run for President, but that's never really been true. I ran because most people think that the country is not ready for a black candidate, not ready for a woman candidate. Someday..." (Marble 6)
Shirley Chisholm was a brave, intelligent, independent woman. She worked her entire adult life against the injustices of racism, poverty, and sexism. She championed for more education and less military. She worked for the people of her district in New York while she was in Congress, listening to their needs and fighting for their rights as citizens. How would she feel today if she knew the United States finally elected the first black citizen as President? Would she be surprised? Would she wonder why a woman hadn't been elected first? Would it have mattered to her which became President first at all, as long as either one did?
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