Research Guides: Shirley Chisholm: Biography

Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 - January 1, 2005)

A distinguished congresswoman, scholar, and African American spokeswoman, Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. A dynamic public speaker who boldly challenged traditional politics, “Fighting Shirley Chisholm,” as she called herself during her first congressional campaign, championed liberal legislation from her seat in the House beginning with her inauguration in 1968 and continuing until her retirement in 1982. Admirers and foes alike dubbed her the “Pepperpot” because of her fondness for saying, “I breathe fire.” Known for her wit, dedication, and compassion, she was a fierce and eloquent voice on national matters. Continue . . .

Source: "Chisholm, Shirley Anita St. Hill." Gale Encyclopedia of American Law, edited by Donna Batten, 3rd ed., vol. 2, Gale, 2010, pp. 386-390. From Gale Virtual Reference database.

Book Collection

Shirley Chisholm: Teacher and Congresswoman

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Resources

A Look Back On Shirley Chisholm's Historic 1968 House Victory NPR's Special Series1968: How We Got Here.
The First African-American Woman Elected to Congress Historical Highlights: Review a brief synopsis of Black Americans who have served in Congress.
Race, Revolution and Women A reprint of the article "Race, Revolution and Women," by Shirley Chisholm, which appeared in the December 1971 issue of "Black Scholar," is presented. The article discusses the role of women in the Black Revolution and Woman's Liberation civil rights movements. Topics discussed include racism and anti-feminism in America, civil rights activist Malcolm X, and writer Eldridge Cleaver.
Sexism and racism: one battle to fight The article focuses on issues related to sexism and racism. The author of this article is an African American Congresswoman. The author comments that it is obvious that African Americans can no longer look on our struggle for full participation in the U.S. society as one that is isolated from that of other second class groups. Discrimination against African Americans because of the color of their skin is no more or less anathema to basic civil rights than is discrimination against groups because of their religion, creed, sex. or sexual orientation. When discrimination is at work, it is because those who hold power are creating petty and arbitrary barriers for the purpose of denying equal participation to those who, if allowed to compete freely within the system, would threaten the status of the power holders. The device used to limit competition is that of assigning different roles to the different groups in society. White males have assigned to themselves such roles as president of the U. S., corporate executive, industrialist, doctor, lawyer, and university professor. They have assigned to white women such roles as housewife, secretary and schoolteacher. African American women can now be schoolteachers, too, but they are most prominently assigned to such domestic roles as maid, cook, waitress and babysitter. African American men are thought to be good porters, bus drivers, and sanitation men.
Shirley Chisholm: Declares Presidential Bid, January 25, 1972 Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to run for President when she sought the Democratic nomination in 1972.

From Films On Demand database:

Films featuring Shirley Chisholm in FOD Shirley Chisholm and John McCain were unafraid to speak their minds on the campaign trail. Distributed by PBS Distribution.
Shirley Chisholm: Equal Rights Amendment Speech Chisholm fought for the unratified Equal Rights Amendment in 1969, arguing against common prejudice which kept women out of high-earning and high-status jobs. She believed legal protection would incite long-term change in that prejudice.