Birthday Greetings Unbought and Unbossed Shirley Chisholm!
🎂Shirley Anita (St. Hill) Chisholm, born November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York contributed to our society as an educator, politician and activist. A woman of strength and integrity, she possessed a direct, common-sense approach to dealing with all kinds of people.
A native of Brooklyn and a child of Caribbean immigrants, Chisholm was a strong student at Brooklyn’s prestigious Girls’ High School. She earned her BA at Brooklyn College and an MA in education at Teachers College, Columbia University. The early part of her career was more typical of a woman in the 1940s and 1950s — she worked first as an early childhood teacher; then as a Nursery school director; and later then as an educational consultant.
An activist, she was particularly devoted to tackling poverty and bettering educational opportunities. She won a seat in the New York State Assembly where she served for four years. She then ran for and won a U.S. Congressional seat, despite facing prejudice and other obstacles.
She was a trailblazer for African-American rights and women’s rights. Ms. Chisolm served seven terms in the House of Representatives, and was a founding member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women’s Political Caucus.
She is best known, perhaps, for her 1972 Presidential Campaign. She has the distinction of being the first African-American woman to campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination —but was unsuccessful! Her memorable slogan was “Unbought and Unbossed.”
Listen to her 1972 Shirley Chisholm Presidential Campaign Announcement.  When she retired from politics, she taught courses on the college level. This amazing woman is still revered today — there are schools named in her memory and there is the beautiful Shirley Chisholm State Park.
Watch a Shirley Chisholm interview Conversation with Shirley A. Chisholm (Talking Leadership series).
Watch too Shirley Chisholm: First African American Congresswoman | Black History Documentary | Timeline
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