Shirley Chisholm Timeline

(November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005)

Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005) was an American politician, educator, and author who made history as the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968. A champion of civil rights, education, and social justice, she also became the first Black candidate to seek a major party's nomination for President of the United States in 1972. More Less

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Early Life and Education

Born in Brooklyn, New York

Nov 30, 1924

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents from Barbados. She would grow up to become a pioneering figure in American politics.

Image source: Shirley Chisholm

Childhood in Barbados

1928 - 1934

Chisholm spent several years of her childhood in Barbados with her maternal grandmother, receiving a strict British-style education that she credited with giving her excellent academic foundations.

Graduates from Brooklyn College

1946

Chisholm graduated cum laude from Brooklyn College in 1946 with a degree in sociology, winning prizes for debate despite facing racial barriers on campus.

Image source: Brooklyn College

Marries Conrad Chisholm

Oct 1949

Shirley St. Hill married Conrad O. Chisholm, a private investigator from Jamaica, in 1949. The marriage lasted until their divorce in 1977.

Earns master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University

1952

Chisholm earned a master's degree in elementary education from Columbia University's Teachers College while working as a nursery school teacher and director.

Image source: Teachers College, Columbia University

Earns master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University

Political Career

Joins local Democratic Party politics in Brooklyn

1953

Chisholm became active in the Bedford-Stuyvesant Political League and later the League of Women Voters, challenging the male-dominated Brooklyn Democratic machine.

Elected to New York State Assembly

1964 - 1968

Chisholm was elected to the New York State Legislature in 1964, representing Brooklyn, where she championed programs supporting education, employment, and disadvantaged communities.

Image source: New York State Assembly

Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Nov 5, 1968

Chisholm defeated civil rights activist James Farmer to represent New York's 12th congressional district, becoming the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress.

Assigned to Agriculture Committee against her wishes

1969

House leadership initially assigned Chisholm to the Agriculture Committee, which seemed irrelevant to her urban district. She used it to expand food assistance programs like SNAP.

Image source: United States House Committee on Agriculture

Delivers 'People and Peace' speech opposing Vietnam War

Mar 26, 1969

In her first major House floor speech, Chisholm criticized the Vietnam War, arguing that resources should be redirected toward human needs at home.

Publishes memoir 'Unbought and Unbossed'

1970

Chisholm published her first autobiography, whose title became her signature motto, describing her independent approach to politics and refusal to be controlled by political machines.

Image source: Shirley Chisholm

She supports women's rights advocacy

1970

Throughout her career, Chisholm was a vocal advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment, abortion rights, and workplace equality for women, often linking racial and gender justice.

Helps found Congressional Black Caucus

Jan 1971

Chisholm was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971, helping create an organized voice for African American concerns in Congress.

Image source: Congressional Black Caucus

Serves on House Rules Committee

1971 - 1977

After her presidential run raised her national profile, Chisholm won a seat on the powerful House Rules Committee, a rare position for a freshman member and a platform for institutional influence.

Image source: United States House Committee on Rules

Co-founds National Women's Political Caucus

Jul 1971

Chisholm helped establish the National Women's Political Caucus alongside Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and others to increase women's participation in politics.

Image source: National Women's Political Caucus

Publishes second book 'The Good Fight'

1973

Chisholm chronicled her groundbreaking 1972 presidential campaign in her second autobiography, detailing the obstacles she faced as a Black woman seeking the presidency.

Named Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus

1977 - 1981

Chisholm was chosen as secretary of the House Democratic Caucus, one of the leadership roles available to her as she continued serving her Brooklyn district through four terms beyond her historic election.

Image source: House Democratic Caucus

Presidential Campaign

Announces presidential campaign

Jan 25, 1972

In Brooklyn, Chisholm announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president, becoming the first Black candidate for a major party's nomination and the first woman to seek it seriously.

Competes in Democratic primaries

Mar 7, 1972 - Jun 1972

Chisholm campaigned across multiple primary states, entering contests including New Hampshire, Florida, and California, and won about 152 delegate votes at the convention despite limited funding and media coverage.

Image source: 1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries

Survives assassination attempt in Los Angeles

May 1972

While campaigning in California, bullets fired by Arthur Bremer grazed Chisholm's car; he instead shot Alabama Governor George Wallace shortly afterward. Chisholm later visited Wallace in the hospital, an act of reconciliation noted widely.

Addresses the Democratic National Convention

Jul 12, 1972

Chisholm received roughly 152 delegate votes at the Miami convention where George McGovern was nominated, cementing her historic candidacy despite being barred from a televised debate appearance earlier in New York.

Image source: 1972 Democratic National Convention

Later Life and Legacy

Marries Arthur Hardwick Jr

Feb 21, 1977

Following her divorce from Conrad Chisholm, Shirley married Arthur Hardwick Jr., a former New York State Assemblyman and businessman, in February 1977.

Teaches at Mount Holyoke College

1983 - 1987

Chisholm joined Mount Holyoke College as the Purington Professor of Politics, teaching courses on politics and women's studies and inspiring a generation of students.

Retires from Congress

Jan 3, 1983

Chisholm left the House of Representatives after seven terms, citing frustration with the slow pace of legislative change and wanting to spend more time teaching and lecturing.

Co-founds African-American Women for Reproductive Freedom

1990

In retirement, Chisholm helped organize this advocacy group, signing its founding statement to support reproductive rights within the Black community.

Nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica

1993 - 1994

President Bill Clinton nominated Chisholm as Ambassador to Jamaica, though health problems prevented her confirmation, and she withdrew from consideration.

Image source: Ambassadors of the United States

Publishes final book 'Unshakable Faith'

1993

Chisholm published 'Unshakable Faith: Shirley Chisholm and Other Living Icons,' reflecting on faith and resilience among prominent figures who shaped her life and era.

Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Nov 24, 2015

Posthumously, President Barack Obama awarded Chisholm the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizing her trailblazing contributions to American democracy.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Statue dedicated in Brooklyn's Prospect Park

Dec 2018

A monument honoring Shirley Chisholm was unveiled at the entrance to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, commemorating the borough's most famous pioneering daughter near the community she served.

Shirley Chisholm State Park opens in Brooklyn

Jul 2019

New York opened a 407-acre waterfront state park named in her honor along Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn, providing green space and recreation for the communities she represented.

Image source: Shirley Chisholm State Park

Key Facts

Shirley Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Barbadian immigrant parents.
In 1968, she became the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th congressional district.
In 1972, she became the first Black candidate and the first woman to actively seek the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States.
Chisholm co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and later helped found the National Women's Political Caucus.
She served seven terms in Congress, retiring in 1983, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2015.

Source

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