Shirley Chisholm Is Elected to Congress

Setting the scene

Shirley Chisholm, the daughter of Caribbean immigrants, worked as a teacher and day-care director in Brooklyn before winning a seat in the New York State Assembly in 1964. She built coalitions in Bedford-Stuyvesant amid civil-rights upheaval and the Vietnam War.

What happened

Chisholm was elected to Congress in November 1968, representing New York's 12th District, and took office in 1969 as the first Black woman in the U.S. House. She served seven terms, championing education, childcare, and food stamps.

Why it still matters

In 1972 she became the first Black major-party candidate to seek the presidency, running with the slogan 'Unbought and Unbossed.' Memorable detail: Chisholm survived three assassination attempts during her presidential campaign and visited rival George Wallace in the hospital after he was shot.

Background

She later ran for president in 1972.