Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Shirley Chisholm

Role / Field:

Pioneering civil rights advocate and first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress.

Born:

1924-11-30

Died:

2005-01-01

Century / Era:

1924s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Shirley Anita Chisholm ( CHIZ-əm; née St. Hill; November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) 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.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

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. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, she spent ages five through nine in Barbados, and she always considered herself a Barbadian American. She excelled at school and earned her degrees in Brooklyn and at Columbia University. She started working in early-childhood education, and she became involved in local Democratic Party politics in the 1950s. In 1964, overcoming resistance because she was a woman, she was elected to the New York State Assembly.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Four years later, she...

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• 1924 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1924
• November 30 (11-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 30
• 2005 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2005
• January 1 (01-01) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 1

Frequently Asked Questions about Shirley Chisholm