Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Anita Chisholm was born in New York City on November 30, in 1924. As a child, Chisholm was very ambitious, migrating from Barbados to graduate from Brooklyn College and Columbia University. After her brief teaching job following her graduation, Chisholm was elected to Congress in 1969; she became the first African American woman to be elected to Congress in America. Contrary to her political contender, who centered his argument on race, Chisholm focused her campaign more the on the gender issue arguing that she has the capability to bring changes that her male counterparts failed to, which brought her immense support.
While in office, Chisholm also activately advocated for the rights of all women, to promote equal rights for women, regardless of race or class. As a woman aware of racial barriers and discrimination, during her time in Congress, Chisholm paid close attention to class and gender issues, and devised policies that helped promote a better education system, professional setting, reproduction/abortion rights, and political rights for women of color in New York. With not many African American women represented in American politics at this time, Chisholm's bold decisions and role in Congress became became a role model to other women of color that began fighting for their rights. Notably, Chisholm's arguments about the feminist movements of the past century not promoting racial equality and acknowledging the concerns of Black women, encouraged women to empower themselves and participate in feminist (or 'womanist') movements and politics.
Chisholm also became the first African American woman to be nominated for presidency when she declared her candidacy in 1972. Her presidency campaign promised to fight for groups that were historically marginalized in America, including women, African Americans, Native Americans, the poor, and the veterans. She emphasized the fact that many women, in particular, were not given equal acknowledgment in the feminist movements or equal rights following these movements, so her candidacy attracted and motivated women of color. Despite her popularity among these groups, Chisholm didn't receive enough support from Black male leaders or from women involved in the national feminist movements, which further highlights how mainstream feminism failed to help women of color. Nevertheless, Chisholm continued to fight for women's rights, arguing that their contributions largely mattered and were necessary. She pushed White feminists to acknowledge the concerns and contributions of other women, which eventually influenced mainstream feminists to allow women of color to participate. Even though Chisholm's candidacy wasn't successful, her contributions to motivate and support women of color would be well evident after her time in Congress ended.