Shirley Chisholm

Before President Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson, there was Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm. The bold Bajan-American was the first Black woman in Congress (in 1968) representing Bedford Stuyvesant for seven terms. You could say that Bed-Stuy raised her; Chisholm attended Girls' High School on Nostrand Avenue, a few years prior to when songbird Lena Horne attended.

Chisholm's unapologetic approach began on day one. The new congresswoman was underestimated and plagued by sexism. For her first assignment, she was appointed to the Agriculture Committee. She joked that, “all they know here in Washington about Brooklyn is that a tree grows there” (i.e., a joke in reference to the famous Betty Smith novel, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn").

She knew that her constituents needed more from her and she voiced her disapproval of the appointment. Eventually, she was placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. “There are a lot more veterans in my district than trees,” Chisholm said. She went on to serve faithfully: "Fighting Shirley" introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation and championed racial and gender equality, the plight of the poor, and ending the Vietnam War. She was a co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971, and in 1977 she became the first Black woman and second woman ever to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee.

The "Unbought and Unbossed" politician announced her history-making run for president of the United States at Bed-Stuy's Concord Baptist Church of Christ located on Monroe Street. It was a history-making moment, and we have so many moments left.

Read more about Chisholm's work and life.

https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/C/CHISHOLM,-Shirley-Anita-%28C000371%29/

https://history.house.gov/Blog/2018/March/3-5-photo-chisholm/