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Another woman that led the fight for women’s rights was Shirley Chisholm of New York City. She spent much of her childhood growing up in New York City, and then became a teacher. Chisholm spent her life in politics fighting for women’s rights, first in the New York state government and then as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years. She led and created organizations to end poverty in cities, increase support for children, and promote the rights of minorities, including women. She was the first African American candidate for president of the United States and the first woman to run for the presidential nomination for the Democratic party.
After becoming a congresswoman in 1969, she gave a speech in support of an amendment to the Constitution that would specifically guarantee equal rights for women.
As you read an excerpt from Chisholm’s speech below, think about:- What information she presents is an opinion.
- How her background influences her opinions.
Shirley Chisholm was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1969-1983.
Image Source: Thomas J. O'Halloran, U.S. News & World Reports via Wikimedia Commons Opens a new window
As a black person, I am no stranger to race prejudice. But the truth is that in the political world I have been far often discriminated against because I am a woman more than because I am black.
Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still acceptable. There is very little understanding yet of the … classification of most of the better jobs as "for men only."
More than half of the population of the United States is female. But women occupy only 2 percent of the managerial positions [and] No women sit on the … Supreme Court. There have been only two women who have held [White House] Cabinet rank, and at present there are none … In Congress, we are down to one Senator and 10 Representatives.
Considering that there are about 3 1/2 million more women in the United States than men, this situation is outrageous.
Shirley Chisholm, Equal Rights for Women, 1969 Source: Iowa State University, Archive of Political Women’s Communication Opens a new window.
