Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman in Congress and represented New York’s 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983.
In 1972, Chisholm became the first woman and African American to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. She was awarded a posthumous Presidential Medal Of Freedom in 2015.
1 You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining, you make progress by implementing ideas. -Shirley Chisholm
Growth occurs when you stand up for what you believe in. You won’t be able to make progress by just complaining about your problems. It is important to fight for your rights.
2 If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. -Shirley Chisholm
Even though there may be many things that would prevent you from making progress, your reaction to them will determine if you’d succeed or not. If there is something you want to change, then do it right now.
3 Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt. -Shirley Chisholm
A lot of potential is wasted because people don’t get opportunities to maximize it. Eradication of social evils is necessary if we want to live in a better world.
4 The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says: It’s a girl. -Shirley Chisholm
The persistence of gender inequalities have led to myriad problems in the society. Such issues don’t just affect the person, but the nation as a whole as well.
5 I don’t measure America by its achievement but by its potential. -Shirley Chisholm
In order to evaluate a country’s progress, don’t completely rely on its achievements but also consider the potential of its citizens. After all, it’s the people who contribute to the development of society.
6 Women that do not conform to the system, who try to break with the accepted patterns, are stigmatized as odd and unfeminine. -Shirley Chisholm
Since many ages, women have been expected to behave passively within the four walls of their homes. However, times have changed and it’s only because of women who had the courage to break stereotypes and follow the unconventional path.
7 I’d like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts, that’s how I’d like to be remembered. -Shirley Chisholm
In order to bring about a positive change in society, you will have to face a lot of challenges. The struggle to achieve goals requires the guts to never give up.
8 I’m looking to no man walking this earth for approval of what I’m doing. -Shirley Chisholm
When you’re truly passionate about something, you follow it regardless of others’ opinions. You stop paying attention to negativity and no longer seek approval of others.
9 We must reject not only the stereotypes that others have of us but also those that we have of ourselves. -Shirley Chisholm
Breaking stereotypes does not only mean rejecting other people’s notions, rather, it is also important to question your own beliefs. Being close minded will only prevent you from becoming a better person.
10 I am the people’s politician, if the day should ever come when the people can’t save me, I’ll know I’m finished. -Shirley Chisholm
Politicians are people’s representatives. They must never forget that their power depends on what people think about them. People will continue to support them as long as they work towards achieving development.
11 I ran because somebody had to do it first, in this country, everybody is supposed to be able to run for president, but that has never really been true. -Shirley Chisholm
Somebody has to go off the beaten path in order to do something that has never been done before. Such people strive to achieve what seems impossible to other people.
12 Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread, and deep-seated, that it is invisible because it is so normal. -Shirley Chisholm
The reason why certain issues are difficult to solve is because they’ve been normalised. This is so problematic because people don’t realize that they are preventing the society from moving forward.
Top 12 Quotes by First Black Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm
1. You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining, you make progress by implementing ideas. -Shirley Chisholm
2. If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. -Shirley Chisholm
3. Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt. -Shirley Chisholm
4. The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says: It’s a girl. -Shirley Chisholm
5. I don’t measure America by its achievement but by its potential. -Shirley Chisholm
6. Women that do not conform to the system, who try to break with the accepted patterns, are stigmatized as odd and unfeminine. -Shirley Chisholm
7. I’d like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts, that’s how I’d like to be remembered. -Shirley Chisholm
8. I’m looking to no man walking this earth for approval of what I’m doing. -Shirley Chisholm
9. We must reject not only the stereotypes that others have of us but also those that we have of ourselves. -Shirley Chisholm
10. I am the people’s politician, if the day should ever come when the people can’t save me, I’ll know I’m finished. -Shirley Chisholm
11. I ran because somebody had to do it first, in this country, everybody is supposed to be able to run for president, but that has never really been true. -Shirley Chisholm
12. Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread, and deep-seated, that it is invisible because it is so normal. -Shirley Chisholm
