Chisholm, Shirley

Chisholm, Shirley (b. Anita St. Hill)

(1924–  ) U.S. representative, social activist; born in New York City. A teacher and then an educational consultant to New York City's Bureau of Child Welfare (1959–64), she became the first black congresswoman (Dem., N.Y.; 1969–83). She ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1972. A champion of minority education and employment opportunities, she taught at Mount Holyoke College (1983–87).

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.