Shirley Chisholm

Hello, my name is Shirley Chisholm, and I want to tell you my story. I was born in a busy city called Brooklyn, New York, on November 30th, 1924. Even though I was born in America, I spent some of my most important years on the sunny island of Barbados. When I was just a little girl, my parents decided it would be best for me to get a good education there, so in 1928, they sent me to live with my grandmother. The schools in Barbados were excellent and followed a British style of teaching. I learned so much and developed a real love for reading and learning. It was a time that made me strong and independent. In 1934, after six years of island life and excellent schooling, I returned to my family in Brooklyn with a sharp mind and a solid foundation for my future.

As I grew older, I found my voice and a passion for helping people. I attended Brooklyn College, where I discovered I was very good at debating. I loved to discuss important ideas and wasn't afraid to speak my mind. I graduated with my degree in 1946 and knew I wanted to work with children. I started my career as a teacher and later became the director of a nursery school. It was wonderful work, but I wanted to do even more. To become a better educator and leader, I went back to school and earned my master's degree from the famous Columbia University in 1952. Through my work, I saw that many families in my community needed more help than I could give them alone. I realized that to make truly big changes, I needed to step into the world of politics.

My journey into government began in my own neighborhood. I joined local political groups where I could fight for better schools, parks, and opportunities for everyone. I learned how to organize people and make our voices heard. In 1964, I decided to take a big step and run for a seat in the New York State Assembly. It was a lot of hard work, but I won. For the next few years, I worked in the state capital, but I knew I could do more on a national level. So, in 1968, I set my sights even higher and ran for the United States Congress. The race was very tough, and many people didn't think I could win. But I proved them wrong. That year, I became the very first African American woman ever elected to Congress. It was an incredible, history-making moment for me and for the entire country.

I began my work in Washington, D.C., in 1969. I came with a motto that I lived by: "Unbought and Unbossed." This meant that I was there to serve the people who elected me, not powerful groups or political bosses. I wanted to be a voice for those who were often ignored. I wasn't afraid to challenge the rules to fight for what was right. My boldest move came on January 25th, 1972. On that day, I stood before the nation and announced that I was running for President of the United States. It was a huge step. Even though I did not win the nomination to become the presidential candidate for my party, my campaign was a victory in its own way. I showed the world that a Black woman could and should aim for the highest office in the land.

I served in Congress for seven terms, working hard for my community until 1983. After leaving politics, I returned to my first love: teaching. I lived to be 80 years old, and my life was full of purpose. Today, people remember me as a trailblazer—someone who opens up a new path for others to follow. I was never afraid to speak my mind or fight for fairness and justice. In 2015, long after my journey ended, I was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest awards in the nation. I hope my story inspires you to find your own voice and be a catalyst for change in your own community.