Shirley Chiolm Research Paper

Shirley Chisolm was born Shirley Anita St. Hill on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York to parents Charles St. Hill and Ruby Seale. Chisolm was raised by her grandmother in Barbados and returned to the United States during her early adolescent years. From an early age, Chisolm was taught the importance of an excellent education. Subsequently, Chisolm graduated from high school and decided to further her education.

Shirley Chisolm didn’t begin with an interest in politics. In 1946, Shirley Chisolm earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College, and would go on to earn her Masters in Elementary Education from Columbia University. Shirley Chisolm graduated from Brooklyn College cum laude. After earning her degrees, Chisolm became an educator at a day center. “Pioneering African-American politician Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) began her professional career as a

teacher. She served as director of the Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center until the late 1950s, then as an educational consultant for New York City’s Bureau of Child Welfare” (“Shirley Chisolm”).
After working in the education field for a few years, Chisolm developed an interest in politics. While returning to university to earn her master’s degree in early childhood education, Chisolm found her true calling. “It was about then that I had my own early education in politics, in the toughest, most intrusive school possible, New York City’s old-time clubhouses” (Chisolm, 1970)
Shirley Chisolm aimed to break the political boundaries that were placed on individuals that looked like her. Chisolm believed that if one aspires to make a change, one must make their own way. "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair” (Vaidyanathan, Rajini) Chisolm believed that working hard would evoke change. She believed that the reason minority groups remained in oppression for years was because they submitted and never advocated for themselves. She believed that action was the key to revolution.
“She was a pioneer for her generation, a woman of many firsts - the first African American congresswoman.

The first African American to run for president. The first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination” (Vaidyanathan, Rajini). Not only did Shirley Chisolm break boundaries for African Americans, she broke boundaries for women being denied access the political arena or discriminated against in political settings because of their gender. “Of my two “handicaps”, being female put many more obstacles in my path than being black” (Chisolm, 1970).

Chisolm believed that although African Americans have a challenging time stepping foot on the political scene, the limitations were even harder for all women. On May 21, 1969 Shirley Chisolm presented an Equal Rights Amendment for Women to the United States House of Representatives. Shirley Chisolm advocated for better treatment for women. Chisolm promoted equal rights that would allow women to be offered the same opportunities as men. Chisolm also advocated for women to stand up for their own rights because submission will never evoke a

change.
In addition to advocating for women’s rights, Chisolm worked her way up to assignment on the Education and Labor Committee in Congress. Chisolm’s background in education inspired her to advocate for the improvement of education and employment opportunities for minorities; African Americans, Hispanics, etc. Shirley Chisolm believed that not only was she to concern herself with the limitations of being black, she was to concern herself of the limitations women faced as well. She could express her pride in being both. She believed that she could help advance both social groups she identified herself with. Therefore, Chisolm was an active member in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP) and the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Throughout her political career, Shirley Chisolm wrote and published two books, Unbought and Unbossed (1970) and The Good Fight (1973). Shirley Chisolm retired from Congress in 1982, returning to teaching. Chisolm died on January 1st, 2005, in Florida.
Shirley Chisolm made history. Shirley Chisolm challenged all angles of the political scene at the time of her entry. No one would have ever thought that in 1972, an African American, let alone an African American Woman would ever run for the Presidency of the United States. Chisolm did not let the prejudice and discrimination she received for being both black and a woman hinder her from reaching her goals. Although Chisolm was not elected, her remarkable story of fight and persistence has inspired many women and minorities today to defy oppression and fight to reach their goals and aspirations.