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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsShirley Chisholm blazed the way for every Black woman Biden is considering for VP
On Jan. 25, 1972, Rep. Shirley Chisholm of New York stood on a platform in a Baptist church in her congressional district in Brooklyn. Behind a dozen microphones, she waved to the crowd and took a leap into history as she declared her bid for the Democratic nomination for presidency of the United States of America.
I am not the candidate for Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the womens movement of this country, although I am a woman and Im equally proud of that. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests, Chisholm said in a clipped voice.
I stand here now without endorsement from many big name politicians or celebrities or any other kind of prop. I do not intend to offer you the tired and glib cliches that have too long been an accepted part of our political life. I am the candidate of the people of America.
The first Black woman elected to Congress ran against Sen. George McGovern (S.D.), who would go on to win the Democratic nomination but lose in a dramatic landslide to Republican Richard Nixon.
Chisholms presidential bid would be remembered for the power of her speeches, her fortitude, and her brutal honesty about racism, sexism politics and the state of the country. Chisholms defiant campaign, which inspired a number of women to run for public office, has received renewed attention, as Joe Biden considers a number of Black women as his running mate.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/08/01/shirley-chisholm-black-women-biden-vp/
FM123
(10,054 posts)That was the very first election I can remember. I was such a young kid and I couldn't even pronounce Chisholm but I knew she was the one I wanted to be my president.
Walleye
(31,056 posts)Still proud of that vote. California Democratic primary 1972. You had to be 21 back then.
RandySF
(59,238 posts)Uzo Aduba was amazing as Shirley Chisholm.
Walleye
(31,056 posts)BadgerMom
(2,771 posts)crickets
(25,983 posts)Still do!
NBachers
(17,142 posts)Last edited Sun Aug 2, 2020, 02:39 AM - Edit history (1)
grantcart
(53,061 posts)My mother stunned me one day when she said she liked Goldwater the most but there was one Democrat who she could vote for.
"Who"
"Shirley Chisolm"
I was stunned.