Chisholm, Shirley

1924-2005 · Contribution: 1968-1972

Law & Civil Rights

First Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress; first Black candidate to seek a major party's presidential nomination

Law & Civil Rights: collage image
Law & Civil Rights

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Quick facts

Born
1924-2005
Category
Law & Civil Rights

Impact on the world

Chisholm redefined who could run for the nation's highest office, breaking barriers of both race and gender and inspiring generations of women and Black Americans to seek power.

An alternative history

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Sources

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    Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

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