8 Black Women Who Have Shattered The Political Glass Ceiling

Brooklyn-native Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was a nursery school teacher before she got into politics. In 1969 Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 12th District of New York. Chisholm used her platform to work on issues including education, women’s rights, and a guaranteed minimum income. During her tenure, she helped establish the Congressional Black Caucus which continues to advocate for issues important to the Black community to this day. In 1972, she threw her hat into the ring for the highest office in the land, making her the first Black woman to run for President of the United States.