Who was? Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazing American politician, known for being the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Born in 1924, she was raised in Brooklyn and Barbados, and pursued education at Brooklyn College and Columbia University. Her political career began in the New York State Legislature, and she made history in 1968 by winning a seat in Congress. Chisholm was a fierce advocate for racial and gender equality, introducing over 50 pieces of legislation. In 1972, she became the first African American and woman to run for president in a major party. After retiring in 1983, she lectured at various colleges. Chisholm passed away in 2005 and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

How did Shirley Chisholm's early life influence her political career?

What honors did Shirley Chisholm receive posthumously?