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Shirley Chisholm Makes History

Back in the day on November 5th, 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-American woman to be elected to the United States Congress. The pioneering lawmaker edged out her political opponents in an upset victory for Brooklyn’s 12th Congressional District Seat. In her autobiography “Unbought and Unbossed,” Chisholm wrote of her history-making election by stating, “That I am a national figure because I was the first person in 192 years to be at once a congressman, black and a woman, proves that our society is not either just nor free.” Not content with merely having a symbolic victory, Chisholm set out to shake things up in the halls of Congress and promised that there might be fireworks. After being assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture, the freshman congresswoman from the urban district of Brooklyn railed against the seniority system. She wanted to advocate for educational issues and legislation aimed at improving the lot of woman and minorities.

After two terms in Congress, Chisholm once again would make history by seeking the Democratic nomination for President in 1972. She was the first black woman to do so in this regard as well.

For Uprising, this is your truth professa’ saying it’s no mystery why they conceal our people’s history