Shirley Chisholm Day--30 November

Shirley Chisholm Day, November 30, Celebrated at the Late Congresswoman's Brooklyn College Alma Mater


Throughout her life, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, a 1946 graduate of Brooklyn College, battled racism, sexism, militarism, and poverty. To celebrate Chisholm’s achievement, her birthday, November 30, has been designated a day of commemoration by the New York State Legislature. Brooklyn College will host a daylong event with film screenings, panel discussions, and a ceremonial signing of the legislation by Governor Pataki.

“Shirley Chisholm’s life and political contribution represent everything that is positive about our Women’s Studies Program, Brooklyn College, and the borough of Brooklyn. This is why we dedicated our research center in Chisholm’s name last year,” said Associate Professor of Health and Nutrition Sciences Patricia Antoniello, director of the Shirley Chisholm Center for Research on Women. “She is the embodiment of the hopes of so many of our students—even today.”

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In 1968 she became the first African American woman elected to Congress, representing Brooklyn’s 12th congressional district. An ardent feminist, Chisholm was a cofounder of the National Women’s Political Caucus and once remarked, “Women in this country must become revolutionaries. We must refuse to accept the old, the traditional roles and stereotypes.”

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Chisholm is best known for becoming the first woman from a major political party to run for the presidency, in 1972. Although she did not win the nomination, she received 151 delegate votes. She served in the U.S. House of Representatives until 1982. She passed away on January 1, 2005.

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http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/spotlite/news/index.php?link=112005