Shirley Chisholm was a pioneering American politician, educator, and author. She was born in Brooklyn to immigrant parents—her father was from Guyana, and her mother was from Barbados. Chisholm spent part of her early childhood in Barbados, where she lived with her grandmother, and she credited her Barbadian education for her strong foundation in academics and discipline.

Chisholm returned to the U.S. in her youth, later attending Brooklyn College, where she graduated cum laude in 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. She became active in civil rights organizations during college. After graduating, she worked as a nursery school teacher and later earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Columbia University in 1951.

Chisholm’s career in education spanned over a decade, where she worked as a director of childcare centers and as an educational consultant for New York City’s Division of Day Care. She entered politics through her involvement in grassroots community organizing, mainly focusing on education, civil rights, and women’s issues.

Shirley passed away on January 1, 2005, at 80. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015. Her groundbreaking career has inspired generations of women and people of color to pursue political leadership roles. Her legacy endures through numerous accolades and tributes, including documentaries, statues, and the Shirley Chisholm Project at Brooklyn College, which preserves her archives and promotes civic engagement.

Shirley Chisholm is remembered as a fearless trailblazer who shattered barriers in U.S. politics. Her unwavering commitment to equality, justice, and social change left an indelible mark on American political history. Her presidential run in 1972 and her service in Congress demonstrated the power of representation and advocacy for marginalized communities, and she remains a symbol of courage and integrity in public service.

To learn more about the courageous Shirley Chisholm, look at the Study Guide, which focuses on her unbossed taking on the political system.