Shirley Chisholm

Date of Birth: November 30, 1924

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: January 1, 2005

Biography

Shirley Anita Chisholm was a groundbreaking American politician, educator, and author. Born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of immigrant parents from Guyana and Barbados. Chisholm is best known for becoming the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district from 1969 to 1983. She was a champion of civil rights, women’s rights, and social justice, using her platform to advocate for those who were marginalized and underserved. In 1972, Chisholm made history again by becoming the first African American woman to seek the nomination for President of the United States from one of the two major political parties. Although she did not win the Democratic nomination, her candidacy was a significant milestone in American political history. After retiring from Congress, Chisholm remained active in politics and education, serving as a visiting scholar at Spelman College and co-founding the National Political Congress of Black Women. She passed away on January 1, 2005, but her legacy continues to inspire future generations of leaders.

5 Interesting Facts about Shirley Chisholm

1. Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman to be elected to the United States Congress.

2. She co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971.

3. Chisholm survived three assassination attempts during her 1972 presidential campaign.

4. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2015.

5. Chisholm’s campaign slogan in her 1972 presidential run was “Unbought and Unbossed.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Shirley Chisholm

1. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

2. “Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth.”

3. “Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.”

4. “I am and always will be a catalyst for change.”

5. “The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, ‘It’s a girl.’”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Shirley Chisholm’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a public servant and educator, her financial wealth was modest compared to her vast contributions to society.