Shirley tells the story of the first Black congresswoman, political icon Shirley Chisholm, and her trailblazing run for president. It chronicles her audacious, boundary-breaking 1972 presidential campaign.
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was the first Black Congresswoman – and the first Black woman ever – to run in a major party for President of the United States. As a Congresswoman, she championed progress for domestic workers, students, women, and people of color. Learn more about her pioneering achievements and the impact they have on our society today.
After graduating from Brooklyn College, Shirley became a teacher at the Mt. Calvary Child Care Center in Harlem. In 1952, she earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from Columbia University. By 1960, she became an educational consultant at the New York City Division of Day Care, where she served for five years.
Shirley joined local chapters of the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League, as well as the Democratic Party club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In 1964, Shirley became the second African American to be elected to the New York State Legislature.
During her time in Congress, Shirley introduced over 50 pieces of legislation and fought for racial and gender equality and the plight of the poor, and advocated for an end to the Vietnam War. Shirley championed the food stamp program and helped create the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Shirley served as a founding member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women’s Political Caucus. She was the only woman among the founding members.
In June 1972, Shirley became the first woman to appear in a United States presidential debate. Chisholm said she ran for office “in spite of hopeless odds … to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.”
Against all odds, she received 152 of the delegates’ votes (10% of the total). Though she didn’t win the nomination, she paved the way for many to follow in her footsteps in search of a stronger democracy.
In 1977, Shirley became the first Black woman and second woman ever to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee.
Shirley retired from Congress, yet remained active on the lecture circuit. She held the position of Purington Professor at Mount Holyoke College from 1983 to 1987 and was a visiting scholar at Spelman College in 1985.
A “forever stamp” issued by the US Postal Service cemented her legacy in the public eye and President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Representative Barbara Lee introduces HR8535 – Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act – in recognition of Chisholm’s activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics; her election as the first African American woman in Congress; and her campaign to be the first African American to gain the nomination for President of the United States from a major political party. Find out how you can take action to protect Shirley’s legacy.
I want to be remembered as a woman… who dared to be a catalyst of change.
Shirley Chisholm
What she did was so pioneering. She was a true first.
Regina king
A tireless voice for the marginalized, Congresswoman Chisholm spent her career fighting for upward economic mobility for working people—especially people of color.
Representative barbara lee
We’re doing the story about the first Black woman to run for president. And 90% of people I talk to don’t know – that there was a woman in 1972, 50 years ago, who dared to do it.
Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazer in American politics who not only championed racial gender and equality, but also advocated for the rights of the impoverished across the US and internationally.
In light of Shirley’s centennial, help us honor her work and legacy by asking your representatives to award her a Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest expression of national gratitude for distinguished service and achievements.
By enshrining her legacy in key institutions, current and future generations can learn from her leadership.
Protect Shirley’s Legacy With A Congressional Gold Medal
Participant To Produce The Upcoming Feature Film Shirley Starring Academy Award® Winner Regina King with Academy Award® Winner John Ridley To Write and Direct
Regina King and Reina King, Anikah McLaren and Elizabeth Haggard, John Ridley
Executive Producers
Jeff Skoll and Ted Gidlow
Editor
Joanne Yarrow, ACE
Cast
Regina King, Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Michael Cherrie, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Amirah Vann, W. Earl Brown, Brad James, Reina King, with André Holland and Terrence Howard
