Shirley Chisholm

By Cecilia Ramirez

Breaking Barriers in American Politics

Shirley Chisholm was born on November 30 of 1924 in Brooklyn, New York to her parents, Charles Christopher St. Hill and Ruby Séale St. Hill. Her parents met in Barbados, where her mother was born and raised, but her father Charles was originally from British Guiana, now Guyana. Both Shirley’s parents immigrated to New York in 1921. Shirley was the oldest daughter of four girls. Shirley attended Brooklyn College, which is where she earned her bachelor’s of sociology in 1946 . She then went on to receive her masters in elementary education from Columbia University in 1952, while she was also working as a teacher and educational consultant.

In the year 1968, Shirley Chisholm was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives, where she began representing New York’s twelfth district. During this time, she had become the first Black woman to be elected into congress, and went on to serve seven terms from the years 1969 to 1983. Shirley was known for her bold slogan: Unbought and unbossed. During 1972, Shirley ran for democratic nomination during the presidential campaign, making her the first Black person and woman to run for nomination. Although she did not win, it still became a historical moment because it paved the way for any future candidates, regardless of gender and race. During her time in politics, Shirley was a huge advocate for education, racial and gender equality, and social justice. Shirley supported the increase in access to childcare and healthcare for families, and was opposed to the Vietnam War.

Shirley advocated for quality, free public education, and equal access to it regardless of one’s race or income. She was able to get federal funding for schools, some that focused on early childhood education and head-start programs, as well as access to higher education, and aid. She fought against racial inequality that happened in places like housing, employment, and education. She pushed for job programs, welfare reform, and food assistance programs. Shirley was a strong advocate for women’s rights, and introduced legislation that supported the equal pay, childcare services, and reproductive rights of women. Shirley supported the raising of minimum wage and labor protections. During this time she was also one of the co-founders of the National Women’s Political Cause in 1971. Due to her heritage, she especially backed immigrant rights, since her parents had been Caribbean immigrants. Ms. Chisholm was able to accomplish all of this while she was in office.

Shirley Chisholm retired from Congress in 1983, and began teaching at Mount Holyoke College, where she continued to advocate for social justice. She died on January 1, 2005 at her home in Ormond Beach, Florida. At the Birchwood Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery, her crypt reads: “Unbought and Unbossed”, which was a symbolism of her lifelong commitment for justice. In 2015, President Barack Obama awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and was remembered as someone who challenged racial and gender barriers that took place in American politics. A famous quote from her 1972 Presidential announcement reads, “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country, although I am a woman, and I am equally proud of that. I am the candidate of the people of America,” which reflected her inclusive platform, and demonstrated that she wanted equal treatment and opportunities for all.

Works Cited

Chisholm, Shirley Anita. US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives. (n.d.). https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/C/CHISHOLM,-Shirley-Anita-(C000371)/
Home: Library of Congress. The Library of Congress. (n.d.). https://www.loc.gov/
Search. National Women’s History Museum. (n.d.). https://www.womenshistory.org/search?sapi_full=Shirley%2BChisholm%2B