Shirley Chisholm, a Brooklyn-born trailblazer, broke the glass ceiling for not only women but Black females in politics as the first female, African American to hold a seat in Congress and seek a major party’s presidential nomination in the 1972 election. She served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, dedicating her life and work to female and minority advocacy.
Now her home city will honor her legacy by declaring her birthday, November 30th, henceforth as ‘Shirley Chisholm Day.’ The declaration by the New York City Council intends to “recognize her contributions as an educator, activist, and elected official, who served the people of New York City with passion and dignity.”
This November 30th, Chisholm would have been turning 100 years old. She had passed away in 2005 at the age of 80.
When gunning for the 1972 Democratic Party presidential nominee, Chisholm was denied participation in televised primary debates until legal action let her make one speech. Chisholm’s valiant perseverance in the face of difficulty will forever inspire generations to come.
“I want to be remembered as a woman … who dared to be a catalyst of change,” remarked Chisholm, and that she will. You can learn more about Shirley Chisholm and her inspiring life story from the National Women’s History Museum.