Also American

Person · 1924–2005

Shirley Chisholm

The first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek a major party's presidential nomination.

A trailblazer of [[black-leadership]].

"Unbought and unbossed," Shirley Chisholm represented Brooklyn in Congress and ran for president in 1972, opening the door for those who followed.

Political Leadership

On the timeline

  1. November 5, 1968
    Shirley Chisholm elected to Congress

    Chisholm becomes the first Black woman elected to the US House.

  2. January 25, 1972
    Shirley Chisholm runs for president

    Chisholm becomes the first Black candidate to seek a major party's nomination.

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