In history, there exists a countless number of people whose pioneering efforts have paved the way for future generations. March has been designated Women’s History Month—a month which celebrates the great women who dedicated their lives to achieving equal treatment.
Shirley Chisholm, born Shirley St. Hill in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1924, was one such pioneer.
A victim of both racism and sexism, Chisholm graduated with honors from Brooklyn College in 1946 with a teaching degree, but found it extremely difficult to find employment. Eventually she obtained a position as a nursery school teacher, which began her career as an educator.
She married Conrad Chisholm in 1949, and together the couple participated in local politics—thus beginning a long and influential political career for Chisholm.
In 1964 Chisholm ran for a state assembly seat. Her political ideals coincided perfectly with the civil rights movement. She was elected to the position and served in the New York General Assembly from 1964-1968.
During this time, Chisholm sponsored eight successful bills, one which provided financial aid for poor students seeking to further their education at institutions of higher learning, and another which reversed a law that caused female teachers to lose their tenure while on maternity leave.
After finishing her four-year term, Chisholm campaigned for New York’s 12th congressional district seat, and she became the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1968.
In the course of her term, Chisholm hired an all-female staff and was vocal about civil rights, women’s rights, poverty and the Vietnam War.
Rhonda Matthews, Ph.D., of Edinboro’s sociology department, said Chisholm is a personal heroine of hers.
“[Chisholm’s] primary contribution to women’s rights and the movement had more to do with the fact that she participated in the process,” she said.
Chisholm was reelected to Congress in 1970. During this time, she co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Two years later, Chisholm set her eyes on the presidency and announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
“I stand before you today as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the United States,” Chisholm began her candidacy announcement.
“I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country, although I am a woman, and I am equally proud of that. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or special interests. I am the candidate of the people.”
She failed to obtain the nomination, but she continued to serve in the House of Representatives until 1982, when she retired.
Chisholm did not let her retirement from the political arena slow her down, however.
From 1983-1987, Chisholm held a teaching position at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she taught politics and women’s studies.
Her dedication to politics did not rest either, following her retirement. In 1984, she co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women, and she also worked on the presidential campaigns of Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988.
Chisholm was also nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993 for the position of ambassador to Jamaica. Unfortunately, her health was beginning to decline during this time, so she turned down the nomination.
Chisholm passed away on Jan. 1, 2005. Her unwavering dedication to social equality has cemented her name in history.
“She didn’t think of herself solely as a woman,” said Matthews, “but as a force for change.”
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