Shirley Chisolm was the first African-American woman elected to Congress – representing
Bedford-Stuyvesant from 1968 to 1983. In 1972, she was nominated for President at the
Democratic convention – becoming the first African-American candidate for the nation’s highest office. Born in Brooklyn, Shirley Chisolm was sent to Barbados to live with her maternal grandmother until the age of ten. Because of her early years in the Caribbean, she spoke with a strong West Indian accent. Returning to Brooklyn, Shirley Chisolm attended New York City public schools, including Girls High School, which at the time had an excellent academic repu- tation attracting girls from all over Brooklyn.
In 1946, Shirley Chisolm graduated from Brooklyn College with a bachelor’s degree in educa- …show more content…
Her husband, Conrad Chisolm, supported his wife: “I have no hang-ups about a woman running for President.” Shirley
Chisolm’s base of support was ethnically diverse – including prominent women like Betty Frie- dan and Gloria Steinem.
Shirley Chisolm often reached out to people of opposing political views. She visited George
Wallace in the hospital after he was shot in 1972. Later on, Wallace supported Mrs. Chisolm in her effort to give domestic workers the minimum wage. The former Alabama governor lobbied southern congressmen to get the bill through congress. In her congressional career, Shirley
Chisolm worked hard to improve the living conditions of inner-city residents. With regard to foreign policy, she opposed the military draft, the Vietnam War, and the expansion of nuclear weapons. After leaving congress, Mrs. Chisolm resumed her teaching career at Mount Holyoke
College. In the 1980s, she campaigned for Jesse Jackson in his bids for the presidency. Shirley
Chisolm was a pioneer for the rights of black people and women – blazing a path to
Bedford-Stuyvesant from 1968 to 1983. In 1972, she was nominated for President at the
Democratic convention – becoming the first African-American candidate for the nation’s highest office. Born in Brooklyn, Shirley Chisolm was sent to Barbados to live with her maternal grandmother until the age of ten. Because of her early years in the Caribbean, she spoke with a strong West Indian accent. Returning to Brooklyn, Shirley Chisolm attended New York City public schools, including Girls High School, which at the time had an excellent academic repu- tation attracting girls from all over Brooklyn.
In 1946, Shirley Chisolm graduated from Brooklyn College with a bachelor’s degree in educa- …show more content…
Her husband, Conrad Chisolm, supported his wife: “I have no hang-ups about a woman running for President.” Shirley
Chisolm’s base of support was ethnically diverse – including prominent women like Betty Frie- dan and Gloria Steinem.
Shirley Chisolm often reached out to people of opposing political views. She visited George
Wallace in the hospital after he was shot in 1972. Later on, Wallace supported Mrs. Chisolm in her effort to give domestic workers the minimum wage. The former Alabama governor lobbied southern congressmen to get the bill through congress. In her congressional career, Shirley
Chisolm worked hard to improve the living conditions of inner-city residents. With regard to foreign policy, she opposed the military draft, the Vietnam War, and the expansion of nuclear weapons. After leaving congress, Mrs. Chisolm resumed her teaching career at Mount Holyoke
College. In the 1980s, she campaigned for Jesse Jackson in his bids for the presidency. Shirley
Chisolm was a pioneer for the rights of black people and women – blazing a path to