New York City has officially proclaimed November 30 as “Shirley Chisholm Day.”
In a bill, Resolution 280, introduced by Councilmember Farah N. Louis and passed by the City Council, the late congresswoman from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, was recognized for her leadership and work as an educator, activist, and elected official. She is widely recognized for her pioneering efforts to make sure her community was represented politically.
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was born November 30, 1924, to parents who were immigrants from the Caribbean: Her mother, Ruby Seale, was from Barbados and her father, Charles Christopher St. Hill, was from Guyana. This year marks the centennial of Chisholm’s birth.
In 1964, Chisholm ran for a New York state assembly seat. She won and served in the New York General Assembly from 1964 to 1968. In 1968, after finishing her term in the legislature, Chisholm campaigned to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District. Her campaign slogan was “Fighting Shirley Chisholm — Unbought and Unbossed.” She won the election and became the first African American woman in Congress, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by defeating civil rights leader James Farmer.
She served for seven terms –– from 1969 to 1983 –– and was one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
On January 25, 1972, Chisholm declared her candidacy for the presidency. She was the first Black candidate to seek a major party nomination and was able to secure 152 delegate votes before ultimately withdrawing from the race.
After her presidential run, Chisholm taught at Massachusetts’s Mount Holyoke College, co-founded the National Congress of Black Women, and later campaigned for Jesse Jackson when he ran for the presidency in 1984 and 1988.
Barbara Bullard, president of the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute (SCCI), spoke with the Amsterdam News about the New York City Council proclamation, which was presented to the SCCI in council chambers.
AmNews: Why does the SCCI think the declaration of Shirley Chisholm Day is important?
Barbara Bullard (BB): Shirley Chisholm’s pioneering efforts have inspired countless individuals around the world to challenge the status quo and fight for equality and justice. Chisholm’s story is a beacon of hope for marginalized communities striving for representation and empowerment. Her legacy is indeed a powerful testament to courage and vision.
Chisholm’s motto, “Unbought and Unbossed,” continues to inspire many to stand up for their beliefs and work toward positive change in their communities. Her work resonates with global movements advocating for women’s rights, racial equality, and social justice. Chisholm’s advocacy for the underserved has left an indelible mark on American society, as seen in the rise of female and minority leaders in politics and other fields, who continue to draw inspiration from her courage and determination.
As we commemorate Shirley Chisholm Day in the city of New York, it is a poignant moment to reflect on her monumental contributions and the enduring relevance of her work.
AmNews: How will these annual celebrations affect the community?
BB: More of the community will be informed about the legacy of Congresswoman Chisholm, whose legacy was systematically erased. In these times, embracing her spirit of heroism and courage can help us become superheroes in our own right, making a difference in our communities just as she did.
AmNews: What can community members do to make November 30 a meaningful Shirley Chisholm Day from now on? I know you said the SCCI has already been celebrating Chisholm this year — can you talk about the events that have already happened, and if there are any more upcoming that members of the community might be able to take part in?
BB: We will be expanding Unbought + Unbossed Conversations in local art and cultural spaces and online for the community to participate in. Also, the global “bring your seat to the table” is coming to the U.S.: Decorate a chair in the name of Shirley Chisholm. Art is a powerful tool for dialogue about social justice, community, and legacy.
Shirley Chisholm events we’ve had in tribute to her birthday include:
- Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute in partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance and Artist-in-Residence Adama Delphine Fawundu at Lefferts Historic House produced a family-friendly event to create and showcase superhero capes inspired by the legacy of Shirley Chisholm and Fawundu’s performance piece In the Face of History Freedom Cape.
- The SCCI, in partnership with New York State Parks, was honored to host a Wellness Walk featuring Miko Branch, co-founder and CEO of Miss Jessie’s and an SCCI board member.
- The SCCI, in partnership with the Office of the Consul General of Barbados and Salzburg Global Seminar, presented an evening of purpose-driven people globally from education, politics, culture, and the arts in tribute to Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm at the Permanent Mission of Barbados to the United Nations.
- The Shirley Chisholm Legacy Scholarship Award was launched, which supports Medgar Evers College students enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in the field(s) of art, culture, and/or humanities. Applicants must demonstrate volunteerism and substantial work in the areas of art, music, and/or academics, and must be of African diaspora, Indigenous, or Latino descent.
- The Pratt Institute Center for Equity and Inclusion (CEI), in partnership with the SCCI, produced their first pop-up event, entitled “What Would Chisholm Do,” to learn about SCCI and the legacy of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.
Upcoming Shirley Chisholm events include more Unbought and Unbossed Conversations. “Whose Truth Travels” represents a creative collaboration between Ready Generations, based in Liverpool, UK, and the SCCI in New York. It aims to explore identity, belonging, and community in the 21st century for the most marginalized groups of modern society, bringing them together to foster new dialogue that supports better understanding and more cohesive local communities. Currently, the initiative features an intergenerational “Build a Chair” project inspired by Shirley Chisholm’s famous quote: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” This project symbolizes inclusion and representation, embodying Chisholm’s legacy of advocating for the underserved.
A chair installation was recently launched in the UK to honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s centennial, and now the idea is launching in the U.S. This project not only commemorates Chisholm’s centennial birthday, but also serves as a powerful reminder of her enduring legacy and the importance of creating spaces for all voices to be heard.
On behalf of the legacy of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and the Shirley Chisholm Cultural Institute thank you so much for your continual good works and uplifting Shirley’s legacy during this Centennial.