Today we honor Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm (Nov 30, 1924-January 1, 2005). Chisholm truly is an Extraordinary DIVA, leaving her stamp in history as being the first of many. In 1968, Chisholm became the first African American woman United States Representative; In 1972, she became the first African American woman to seek a major party nomination for President of the United States, the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for President at the Democratic National Convention, and the first African American woman to be on the ballot as a candidate for President. Did I add that she did all of this while surviving three assassination attempts.
Chisholm spent her entire career fighting for women’s rights, racial equality, better opportunities for urban communities and families, and equity in politics. When asked about what she would like her legacy to be she stated,
“When I die, I want to be remembered as a woman who lived in the twentieth century and who dared to be a catalyst for change. I don't want be remembered as the first black woman who went to Congress, and I don't even want to be remembered as the first woman who happen to be black to make a bid for the presidency. I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the twentieth century. That's what I want.” | |
—Shirley Chisholm, Unbought and Unbossed | |
After 14 years of service in Congress, Chisholm retired her seat in 1982 upon which she returned to a career in education, teaching Women’s studies at Mount Holyoke College and Spellman. In 1993 Chisholm was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and in 2002, Molefi Kete Asante included Chisholm in his list of 100 Greatest Americans.
We salute Ms Chisholm for her fearlessness and perseverance and for creating opportunities for those who have and will come after her.
Shirley Chisholm, 2010
Advice to young African Americans
For more information about Shirley Chisholm see below.
<3 Jade
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