Shirley Anita Chisholm (November 30, 1924–January 1, 2005) was the first Black woman elected to Congress. Chisholm represented New York's 12th congressional district from 1969 to 1983. Chisholm served seven terms and championed anti-poverty programs and education reform. Chisholm was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women's Political Caucus. In 1972, Chisholm became the first woman to seek the presidential nomination from one of the two major political parties. Although her bid was unsuccessful, her candidacy enabled her to raise issues of importance to Black Americans and women and to forge the way for others. “The door is not open yet,” she said, “but it is ajar.” On August 22, 2024, Kamala Harris became the first Black and South Asian woman to walk through that door and lead a major-party ticket after formally accepting the Democratic party's nomination for President of the United States.
