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Shirley Chisholm Research Paper

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Shirley Chisholm is the definition of an independent black woman. Chisholm is a model of independence, honesty, and has been a part of many historical issues including civil rights, aid to the poor, and women’s rights. Who Shirley Chisholm is was unknown to me. After days of researching, I have developed a clear understanding of who Shirley Chisholm is. Chisholm was an educator, activist, author, and politician. She is best known as the first African-American woman elected to United States Congress and the first woman and African- American to run for president of the United States. Chisholm’s maiden name was Shirley Anita St. Hill, born on November 30, 1924. Chisholm was born in the impoverished Bedford-Stuyvesant section of New York. Her father was an emigrant from Guyana who worked as an unskilled laborer. Her mother who was a native of Barbados, she was a seamstress along with a domestic worker. Due to their lack of money Chisholm's parents had to separate Chisholm along with her three other sisters, for much of their childhood. The separation forced Chisholm and her siblings to move to a farm in Barbados with their grandmother. She received a British elementary school education and acquired a Western Indian speech, …show more content…

“Fighting Shirley Chisholm” is what Chisholm called herself during her first Congressional Campaign. Beginning with her inauguration in 1968, championed liberal legislation from her seat in the house. In 1969 Chisholm became the first African-American Congresswoman. She represented New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983.After initially being assigned to the House of Forestry Committee, she shocked many by demanding reassignment. Chisholm was placed on the Veterans’ affair committee, eventually, she graduated to the Education and labor Committee and became one of the Founding members of the Congressional Black

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