Shirley Chisholm

Hello! My name is Shirley Chisholm, and I want to tell you my story. I was born on November 30th, 1924, in a bustling neighborhood called Brooklyn in New York City. My parents had come to America from the Caribbean seeking a better life, and their dreams for me were big. When I was just a little girl, they made a difficult decision and sent me and my sisters to live with our grandmother on the beautiful island of Barbados. Life there was different, but it was where my foundation was built. My grandmother made sure we received a wonderful British-style education. I learned to read and write at a young age, and I developed a love for learning that would last my entire life. Those years in Barbados were so important; they taught me to be proud of my heritage, to speak my mind clearly, and to stand up for what I believe is right. I didn't know it then, but this was the beginning of my journey as a public servant.

When I was about ten years old, I returned to Brooklyn. The city felt loud and fast after the calm of Barbados, but I was determined to succeed. I continued my studies and worked very hard, eventually earning a scholarship to Brooklyn College. It was there that I truly found my voice. I joined the debate team and became known for being a powerful speaker; I was never afraid to argue for my beliefs and challenge injustice. I graduated with honors in 1946. My passion was helping children and families in my community, so I decided to become a teacher. To be the best educator I could be, I earned my master's degree in early childhood education from Columbia University in 1952. I worked as a director of a daycare center and saw firsthand how many families struggled to get by. I realized that while I could help one child at a time as a teacher, to make a real, lasting change for thousands of people, I needed to get involved in making the laws. I decided to enter the world of politics.

My political journey was not an easy one. In those days, politics was dominated by men, and there were very few people who looked like me in positions of power. I joined local political groups in Brooklyn and worked hard to make my voice heard, organizing and advocating for my community. In 1964, I achieved my first major goal: I was elected to the New York State Assembly. I was one of very few women there, and I immediately began fighting for important issues like better funding for education and unemployment benefits for domestic workers. But I knew my work wasn't finished, and I felt I could do even more on a national level. So, in 1968, I decided to run for the United States Congress. Many people told me I couldn't win. They said I had three things against me: I was a woman, I was Black, and I was not part of the old, established political machine. But I refused to listen to the doubters. I walked the streets of my district, talking to everyone I could, sharing my vision for a fairer society. And on November 5th, 1968, we did it. We won! I became the very first African American woman ever elected to the United States Congress.

My motto was 'Unbought and Unbossed.' It was a simple phrase with a powerful meaning: I was in Congress to serve the people who elected me, not powerful special interests or political bosses. I carried that motto with me every day. When I first arrived in Congress in 1969, the leadership assigned me to the House Committee on Forestry. I represented Brooklyn, a place famous for its brownstones, not its forests! I knew this was not where my skills could best serve my community. I boldly went to the party leaders and demanded a new assignment. It was a risky move for a newcomer, but it worked. I was reassigned to the Education and Labor Committee, where I could fight for the things that mattered most to my constituents. During my time in Congress, I helped create programs to make sure poor families and children had enough food to eat, like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC. Then, in 1972, I did something no one had ever done before: I ran for President of the United States. I was the first African American to run for the Democratic Party's nomination. I knew the odds were against me, but my goal was to show the world that anyone, no matter their race or gender, could and should aim for the highest office in the land.

I served seven terms in Congress, fighting for equality and justice until I retired in 1983. After leaving politics, I returned to my first love: teaching. I became a professor at a college, sharing my experiences with a new generation of young people. I wanted to inspire them, especially women and minorities, to become leaders and what I called 'catalysts for change.' I lived to be 80 years old, and my journey was filled with both challenges and triumphs. Today, people remember me as a trailblazer, someone who broke down barriers and fought for a more just and equal America for everyone. My hope is that my story reminds you that your voice has power, that you should never be afraid to be the first to do something great, and that you must always remain unbought and unbossed.