A trailblazing woman who fought for social justice and education opportunities throughout her entire political career, Shirley Chisholm immortalized her name on November 5, 1968, when she became the first Black woman elected to Congress.
Chisholm, who was born in Brooklyn in 1924 to Guyanese and Barbadian parents, represented New York State’s 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives for seven terms. The charismatic woman also ran for the 1972 Democratic nomination for the presidency, making her the first Black woman to seek a presidential nomination from a major political party.
Although Chisholm did not emerge victorious in the presidential nomination race, she will be remembered for her perseverance in the wake of the attacks she received from a society that did not wholly enfranchise women and people of colour.
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To celebrate her legacy, Face2Face Africa shares with you 10 of her greatest quotes:
