Shirley Chisholm: Race for Equality
Today, women and minorities have a wide variety of professions they can pursue; but it was not always that way. Before the Civil Rights Movement, they, especially black people, were bound to a stereotypical or subservient role in society without the right to voice their opinions. Some, however, did take a stand to fight for equal rights against all odds. These people were called Civil Rights activists and many became leaders. Among the many famous pioneers such as Martin, Malcolm, and Angela, was a woman who endeavored and ran her own race for equality – Shirley Chisholm. Shirley Chisholm was a powerful Civil and Women’s Rights pioneer who valued education, believed in equality, and was never afraid to …show more content…
As a little girl, she was sent to live with her grandmother on a farm in the Barbados. Her experiences on the farm in addition to studying in the Barbadian school system gave her a “well rounded education.” This was because they both expounded on a powerful trait that later became prevalent throughout Chisholm’s life; determination. Her ability to excel in class while enduring the heartbreak of separation from her parents exhibited extreme courage and the mental willpower to accomplish her goals. The cathartic effect of immersing herself into her studies showed her that education was the liberator that overcame almost any obstacle in her path. This eye-opener was beneficial to the next chapter in her life; coming back to America. At the age of ten, Chisholm moved in with her parents in New York at a time when racial tensions were at its peak, women were badly mistreated, and the Great Depression ravaged the poor. Despite the problems that faced this new American citizen, Chisholm displayed extreme dedication to her studies and eventually graduated top of her predominantly white class. She received scholarships to many Universities, but graduated from Brooklyn College and later, to her preference, became a school teacher. In both her college and teaching years, Chisholm became more aware of the cruel establishment that condoned the wicked mistreatment of minorities. She was equally familiar with …show more content…
From the little girl on the farm, to a skilled, community oriented, presidential candidate, Chisholm had endured a lot over her lifetime. This woman set a precedent for future generations of women and minorities who dared to dream outside the box and pioneered new, undiscovered paths. Although she accomplished many achievements in life, she had once said, “I would rather be remembered for continuing throughout my life to fight for rights for women and blacks,” and that she
Today, women and minorities have a wide variety of professions they can pursue; but it was not always that way. Before the Civil Rights Movement, they, especially black people, were bound to a stereotypical or subservient role in society without the right to voice their opinions. Some, however, did take a stand to fight for equal rights against all odds. These people were called Civil Rights activists and many became leaders. Among the many famous pioneers such as Martin, Malcolm, and Angela, was a woman who endeavored and ran her own race for equality – Shirley Chisholm. Shirley Chisholm was a powerful Civil and Women’s Rights pioneer who valued education, believed in equality, and was never afraid to …show more content…
As a little girl, she was sent to live with her grandmother on a farm in the Barbados. Her experiences on the farm in addition to studying in the Barbadian school system gave her a “well rounded education.” This was because they both expounded on a powerful trait that later became prevalent throughout Chisholm’s life; determination. Her ability to excel in class while enduring the heartbreak of separation from her parents exhibited extreme courage and the mental willpower to accomplish her goals. The cathartic effect of immersing herself into her studies showed her that education was the liberator that overcame almost any obstacle in her path. This eye-opener was beneficial to the next chapter in her life; coming back to America. At the age of ten, Chisholm moved in with her parents in New York at a time when racial tensions were at its peak, women were badly mistreated, and the Great Depression ravaged the poor. Despite the problems that faced this new American citizen, Chisholm displayed extreme dedication to her studies and eventually graduated top of her predominantly white class. She received scholarships to many Universities, but graduated from Brooklyn College and later, to her preference, became a school teacher. In both her college and teaching years, Chisholm became more aware of the cruel establishment that condoned the wicked mistreatment of minorities. She was equally familiar with …show more content…
From the little girl on the farm, to a skilled, community oriented, presidential candidate, Chisholm had endured a lot over her lifetime. This woman set a precedent for future generations of women and minorities who dared to dream outside the box and pioneered new, undiscovered paths. Although she accomplished many achievements in life, she had once said, “I would rather be remembered for continuing throughout my life to fight for rights for women and blacks,” and that she