Shirley Chisholm was a true Brooklyn trailblazer. From the daughter of working-class immigrant parents to her success as a voice for the people in Congress, she dedicated her life to breaking barriers and advocating for justice. As the first Black woman elected to Congress, she co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and the Congressional Women’s Caucus in 1977, ensuring stronger representation for marginalized communities.
In 1972, Chisholm made history again as the first woman and first African American to seek the Democratic presidential nomination. A Brooklyn College graduate, she championed fair housing, economic equity, and civil rights.
Her legacy lives on through Shirley Chisholm State Park and the Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building, renamed in 2009 through Assembly Bill A5365. In 2024, her 100th birthday was marked with a special rededication, celebrating her lifelong fight for justice and equality.
Her impact continues to inspire.
