Shirley Chisholm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirley Chisholm
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| Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1981 |
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| Leader | Tip O'Neill |
| Preceded by | Patsy Mink |
| Succeeded by | Geraldine Ferraro |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 12th district |
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| In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Edna Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Major Owens |
| Member of the New York State Assembly |
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| In office January 1, 1965 – December 31, 1968 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Jones |
| Succeeded by | Thomas R. Fortune |
| Constituency | 17th district (1965) 45th district (1966) 55th district (1967–1968) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Shirley Anita St. Hill
November 30, 1924 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 2005 (aged 80) Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Conrad Chisholm (m. 1949; div. 1977) Arthur Hardwick, Jr.(m. 1977; his death 1986) |
| Education | Brooklyn College (BA) Columbia University (MA) |
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was an American politician, educator, and writer who made history as the first African-American woman elected to the United States Congress. She was a champion for women’s rights, civil rights, and education, and she inspired millions with her courage and determination.
Chisholm ran for President of the United States in 1972 as a Democrat. She lost the primary to George McGovern. Chisholm became the first major-party black candidate for President of the United States.
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Early life and education
Shirley Anita St. Hill was born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were immigrants from Barbados. Her father, Charles St. Hill, worked as a factory laborer, and her mother, Ruby Seale St. Hill, was a seamstress.
When Shirley was young, from the age of three to eleven, she lived in Barbados with her maternal grandmother. There, she attended a one-room schoolhouse. This early education was very important because it gave her a strong foundation in reading and writing. She became fluent in both English and Bajan Creole, the local dialect of Barbados.
When she returned to Brooklyn, she excelled in school. She graduated from Girls' High School in 1942 and went on to Brooklyn College. In 1946, she graduated cum laude (which means "with honors") with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a minor in Spanish.
Early career
After college, Chisholm began working as a teacher's aide at the Mt. Calvary Child Care Center in Harlem. She would work at the center in a teaching role from 1946 to 1953. Meanwhile, she was furthering her education, attending classes at night and earning her Master of Arts in childhood education from Teachers College of Columbia University in 1951.
For several years, she worked as an educational consultant for the Division of Day Care in New York City. She helped improve the quality of education for young children in daycare centers. She was passionate about making sure that all children had access to good education, no matter their background.
Entering politics
Chisholm entered the world of politics in 1953 when she noticed that there were not many women or people of color in positions of power. She wanted to change that.
In the 1960s, she became more active in the Democratic Party. She joined various political groups and worked on campaigns for other candidates. She learned a lot about how politics worked and how to get things done.
In 1964, she ran for and won a seat in the New York State Assembly. This was a big step for her. She represented her district in Brooklyn- and worked on issues that were important to her community, such as education, housing, and employment.
Election to Congress
In 1968, Shirley Chisholm decided to run for the United States House of Representatives. She ran in New York's 12th congressional district, which was a predominantly Black district in Brooklyn.
Her campaign was not easy. She faced many challenges, including sexism and racism. Some people did not think a Black woman could be a successful politician. But Shirley Chisholm was determined to prove them wrong.
She ran a grassroots campaign, which means she relied on the support of ordinary people. She went door-to-door, talking to voters and listening to their concerns. She promised to fight for their interests in Congress.
On Election Day, November 5, 1968, Shirley Chisholm won the election! She became the first Black woman elected to Congress. This was a historic moment for the United States.
Time in Congress
Shirley Chisholm served in the House of Representatives for seven terms, from 1969 to 1983. She was a strong and outspoken voice for her constituents. She fought for the rights of women, minorities, and the poor.
She was assigned to the House Committee on Education and Labor. She worked on legislation to improve education, create jobs, and protect workers' rights. She also served on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, where she advocated for the needs of veterans.
One of her most important accomplishments was her work on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This program provides food and healthcare to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. It has helped millions of families across the country.
Shirley Chisholm was known for her independent spirit and her willingness to speak her mind. She often challenged the status quo and fought for what she believed in. She was a role model for many people, especially women and people of color.
Presidential campaign
In 1972, Shirley Chisholm made history again when she ran for President of the United States. She was the first Black woman to seek a major party's nomination for president.
Her campaign was a long shot. She faced many obstacles, including a lack of money and support from the Democratic Party establishment. But she was determined to run a campaign that would inspire people and raise important issues.
She traveled around the country, speaking to voters and sharing her vision for America. She talked about the need for social and economic justice, an end to the Vietnam War, and a more inclusive society.
Although she did not win the Democratic nomination, her campaign was a success in many ways. She showed that a Black woman could run for president and be taken seriously. She inspired a new generation of activists and leaders.
Legacy and death
Shirley Chisholm left a lasting legacy on American politics and society. She broke down barriers and paved the way for other women and people of color to enter politics. She showed that anyone, regardless of their background, can make a difference in the world.
After retiring from Congress in 1983, she taught at Mount Holyoke College and Spelman College. She continued to speak out on important issues and inspire young people to get involved in politics.
Shirley Chisholm passed away on January 1, 2005, at the age of 80. But her legacy lives on. She is remembered as a trailblazer, a champion for justice, and a role model for all.
Shirley Chisholm's story is a reminder that anything is possible if you work hard and believe in yourself. She showed the world that with courage, determination, and a commitment to justice, you can achieve your dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.
Personal life
Chisholm met Conrad O. Chisholm in the late 1940s. He had migrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1946, and he later became a private investigator who specialized in negligence-based lawsuits. They married in 1949 in a large West Indian-style wedding. The marriage ended in a divorce, which was granted on February 4, 1977, in the Dominican Republic.
In 1978, Chisholm married Arthur Hardwick Jr., a former New York State Assemblyman whom Chisholm had known when they both served in that body. While her legal name was now Hardwick, she would continue to use Chisholm in politics. After leaving Congress in January 1983, Chisholm made her home in Williamsville, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. Her husband, Arthur Hardwick, died in August 1986.
Chisholm had no children and moved to Florida when she retired in 1991.
Interesting facts about Shirley Chisholm
- Shirley had three younger sisters, two born within three years of her and one later.
- Despite her U.S. birth, Chisholm would always consider herself a Barbadian American.
- As a result of her time in Barbados, she spoke with a West Indian accent throughout her life.
- Chisholm said that during her New York legislative career, she had faced much more discrimination because she was a woman than because she was black.
- When running for the United States House of Representatives, Shirley Chisholm's campaign slogan was "Unbought and unbossed".
- President Bill Clinton nominated her to the ambassadorship to Jamaica, but she could not serve due to poor health.
- In 1993, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
- In February 2005, Shirley Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed, a documentary film, aired on U.S public television. It was directed and produced by independent, African-American filmmaker Shola Lynch. The film was featured at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. On April 9, 2006, the film was announced as a winner of a Peabody Award.
- In 2015, she was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. This is the highest civilian honor in the United States.
Shirley Chisholm quotes
- "Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth."
- "I have never cared too much what people say. What I am interested in is what they do."
- "I am and always will be a catalyst for change."
- "I love America not for what she is, but for what she can become."
- "You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas."
- "Don't listen to those who say you can't. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I can."
Images for kids
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Chisholm (seated, second from right) with fellow founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971
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Shirley Chisholm 1972 presidential campaign poster
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The inscription on Chisholm's mausoleum, including her campaign slogan, "Unbought and Unbossed"
See also
In Spanish: Shirley Chisholm para niños
