12: Unbought and Unbossed: The Epic Journey of Shirley Chisholm

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Date: October 23, 2024

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #12: "Unbought and Unbossed: The Epic Journey of Shirley Chisholm"

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

In this episode of Unbought and Unbossed: The Epic Journey of Shirley Chisholm, we take you on a thrilling ride through the life of the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. Born to immigrant parents in Brooklyn, raised amidst the sun-soaked sugarcane fields of Barbados, Shirley's story is one of grit, courage, and unyielding ambition. From her early years challenging the constraints of society to her groundbreaking 1972 presidential run, Shirley Chisholm shattered ceilings and defied expectations at every turn.

Get ready to witness the power of one woman's determination to change the world. Shirley wasn't just a politician—she was a force of nature. With her signature slogan, "Unbought and Unbossed," she faced down the political machine, inspiring generations of women, people of color, and dreamers to rise up.

This episode is a tribute to her fiery spirit, the battles she fought, and the undeniable legacy she left behind. Tune in to discover how Shirley’s fearless voice continues to echo through history, reminding us all that change starts with a bold, determined step.

Highlights:

00:59= INTRO.

01:07= SHIRLEY CHISHOLM’S BIRTH.

01:38= HER FATHER CHARLES ST. HILL.

01:49= HER MOTHER RUBY SEALE ST. HILL.

02:01= OLDEST OF FOUR DAUGHTERS.

02:26= LIVES WITH HER MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS.

04:02= LIVES WITH HER PARENTS.

04:48= GRADUATES FROM GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

05:29= GRADUATES FROM BROOKLYN COLLEGE.

06:12= NURSERY SCHOOL TEACHER.

06:30= MASTER’S DEGREE FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.

06:50= INVOLVED IN DEMOCRATIC CLUBS.

07:39= ELECTED TO THE NY STATE LEGISLATURE.

08:49= RUNS FOR CONGRESS.

10:51= THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN ELECTED TO CONGRESS.

10:57= SHE TAKES HER OATH.

12:12= ASSIGNED TO THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

12:32= REASSIGNED TO THE VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

12:50= SERVES SEVEN TERMS IN CONGRESS.

13:05= EXPANDS THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM & HELPS TO CREATE WIC.

13:23= PUBLISHES HER AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

13:50= ANNOUNCES SHE IS RUNNING FOR US PRESIDENCY.

15:55= PUBLISHES HER SECOND BOOK.

16:12= ADVOCACY FOR WORKER’S MINIMUM WAGE.

17:00= RANKED AMONG THE TOP 10 MOST ADMIRED WOMEN IN AMERICA.

17:14= EXPANDS THE FREE/REDUCED LUNCH SCHOOL PROGRAM.

17:46= ACCOLADES.

18:17= FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN & THE SECOND WOMAN IN HISTORY TO SERVE ON THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE.

20:41= ANNOUNCES HER RETIREMENT.

21:02= TEACHES & GIVES PUBLIC SPEECHES.

21:13= COFOUNDS THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BLACK WOMEN.

21:27= ACCOLADES.

21:58= SHE PASSES AWAY.

22:11= ACCOLADES.

23:07= CONCLUSION.

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Links To Additional Resources:

Shirley Chisholm | National Women's History Museum (womenshistory.org)

Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 - January 1, 2005) | National Archives

Shirley Chisholm for President | National Museum of African American History and Culture

CHISHOLM, Shirley Anita | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives

Shirley Chisholm: Unbought and Unbossed | Smithsonian Institution (si.edu)

Shirley A. Chisholm Biography » Women of the CBC » Avoice - Congressional Black Caucus Foundation » African American Voices in Congress (cbcfinc.org)

Bioguide Search (congress.gov)

Shirley Chisholm | Biography, Accomplishments, & Facts | Britannica

Changing the Face of Democracy | Museum of the City of New York (mcny.org)

Nomination for Ambassador to Jamaica | The American Presidency Project (ucsb.edu)

Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 - January 1, 2005) | National Archives

Shirley Chisholm - A Seat at the Table (bringyourownchair.org)

The True Story Behind Netflix's 'Shirley': About Shirley Chisholm (today.com)

Chisholm, Shirley | Women of the Hall

Shirley Chisholm | Biography, Accomplishments, & Facts | Britannica

Shirley A. Chisholm Timeline » Women of the CBC » Avoice - Congressional Black Caucus Foundation » African American Voices in Congress (cbcfinc.org)

Shirley Chisholm | Archives of Women's Political Communication (iastate.edu)

Post of Jamaica Ambassador To Go to Shirley Chisholm - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Shirley: Shirley Chisholm's Career Timeline from 1953-1993 (elle.com)

Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm: “Unbought and Unbossed” | National Archives Museum