Shirley Chisholm Research Paper

Shirley Chisholm, named Shirley Anita St. Hill at birth, was born to Charles Christopher St. Hill and Ruby Seale on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. Both her parents were immigrants. Her father was a factory worker from Guyana and her mother was a seamstress and a domestic worker. At the age of three, Shirley relocated to Barbados to live with her grandmother. She received much of her primary education in the Barbadian school system, which stressed the traditional British teachings of reading, writing, and history. Chisholm credits much of her educational successes to this well-rounded early education. When Chisholm was ten years old, she returned to New York.

She attended Girls' High School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in Brooklyn. Chisholm won tuition scholarships to several distinguished colleges; however, she could not afford room and board. Although she faced many obstacles that could have prevented her from attending college, Chisholm remained persistent in pursuit to further her education. Chisholm later graduated from Brooklyn College in 1946 and went on to study elementary education at Columbia University graduating in 1952.

While training for a career in education, Chisholm became active in several campus and community groups. She developed an interest in politics and took a keen interest in how women played a secondary role to their male counterparts.

Her strong leadership skills led her to eventually joining politics.

In 1968, Chisholm became the first black woman to serve in the United States Congress in spite of her being, as she herself termed it, a “double handicap”—both black and a woman. Chisholm held a long career in the U.S. House of Representatives. Chisholm swiftly made a name for herself with her brand of fearless politics. She highlighted key issues throughout her career. She fought for educational opportunities, racial equality and women empowerment. In addition to her interest in civil rights, she spoke out about the judicial system in the United States, police brutality, prison reform, gun control, drug abuse, and many other topics. As a political leader, Chisholm was courageous and maintained a strong sense of morality while standing up for her

beliefs.

As a member of Congress, Chisholm attempted to focus her attention on the needs of her constituents. She served on several House committees including Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, Rules and Education, and Labor. During the Ninety-first Congress, when she was assigned to the Forestry Committee, she protested her appointment and said that she wanted to work on committees that dealt with issues that were affecting her district. Her servitude was further exemplified through her membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

In 1972 Chisholm ran for the highest office in the land—President of the United States of America. In announcing her bid, Chisholm said: "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 the candidate of the people, and my presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history." As a result of her candidacy, Chisholm became one of the ten most admired women in the world.

In retrospect, Chisholm broke ground as the nation's first black congresswoman and the first black presidential candidate. As a leader, she fought for African Americans and women's rights. Chisholm is a model of independence and honesty. During her political career, she championed several issues including civil rights and aid for the poor. Shirley Chisholm died on January 1, 2005, at the age of 80, in Ormond Beach Florida. Nearly 11 years later, in November 2015, she was posthumously awarded the distinguished Presidential Medal of Freedom.