Audience
Shirley Chisholm
November 30, 1924 - January 1, 2005
“Unbought and Unbossed” was the slogan featured on Shirley Chisholm’s campaign posters and engraved on her final resting place. Shirley Chisholm truly lived her life “Unbought and Unbossed” as she blazed trails and made it possible for many of our groundbreaking figures today such as Kamala Harris, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Shirley Chisholm was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she was one of 4 siblings. In high school she excelled academically and was a consistent winner on her school’s debate team. Many people encouraged her to enter politics, but Chisholm would often remind them as a black woman, the deck was stacked against her. However, that did not stop Chisholm from continuing to contribute for a better world. She earned her master's degree in early childhood education in 1951 from Columbia University.
From there, Chisholm worked hard to combat the racial and wealth disparities in childcare, she also joined different organizations such as the New York NAACP and her local Democratic party club. In 1964, Shirley Chisholm would run for a seat in the New York state legislature becoming just the second African American ever in the legislature. From there she ran for Congress, becoming the Representative for New York’s 12th district. In Congress, she championed various civil rights legislation and even ran for President in 1972. Chisholm’s 1972 presidential campaign was like no other, despite significant roadblocks she garnered 10% of delegates. In 1983, Chisholm retired and went back home to continue the good fight; she was offered the Ambassador position to Jamaica by President Clinton, but she declined due to health issues.
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