Shirley Chisholm

1924-2005
Politician

 

Shirley Chisholm was born on  November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn. She graduated with a bachelors in sociology from Brooklyn College in 1946, and earned a master's degree in early childhood education from Columbia University in 1951. 

In 1964, Chisholm began her political career as the second African American in the New York State Legislature. In 1969, she broke another barrier when she became the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress. From 1969-1983, for seven terms, she represented New York’s 12th congressional district. In 1972, Chisholm attempted to take her political career to the next level and became the first woman and African American to seek the Democratic party nomination for United States president. After retiring from Congress in 1983, Chisholm co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women and taught at Mount Holyoke College.

In 1991, Chisolm moved to Florida and on January 1, 2005, she died in Ormond Beach.

Shirley Chisholm

Description
Photograph showing Commissioner Nyquist, Representative Chisholm, and Representative Perkins at Annual Meeting of State Education Department
Source 
New York State Education Department Commissioner Ewald B. Nyquist Subject Files, 1950-1969. Series W0105-80, Box 31, Folder 22.
Rights 
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities

NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 2005, Chapter 445

Identifier
NYSA_12590-06_L2005_Ch0445
Description
Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) was the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district from 1969-1983. Chisholm was also the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for United States President. NYS Bill and Veto Jackets: 2005, Chapter 445 sets Shirley Chisholm's birthday, November 30th, as a day of commemoration. A:5830C
Source 
New York State Archives. New York (State). Counsel to the Governor. Legislative bill and .veto jackets, 1883-2006. 12590-06, 2005, Chapter 445, pages 1 - 25.
Rights 
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities

Representative Chisholm

Description
Photograph showing Commissioner Nyquist, Senator Javits, Representative Chisholm, and Representative Perkins at Annual Meeting of State Education Department
Source 
New York State Education Department Commissioner Ewald B. Nyquist Subject Files, 1950-1969. Series W0105-80, Box 31, Folder 22.
Rights 
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Learning Activities

 

Classroom Connections