Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress; and was a passionate advocate for the needs of minorities, women and children. Her work affected change in the nation's perceptions about the capabilities of both women and Black people. A New York City educator and child care manager, Chisholm had a bird's eye view of the problems of the poor daily; which motivated her to run for and win a seat in the New York State Legislature. In 1968 she was elected to Congress from the new 12th District. There she worked in support of better employment and education programs, expansion of day care, income support and other programs to improve life for those in the inner city. She advocated for an end to the military draft and reduced defense spending. In 1970, she published her first book: "UNBOSSED AND UNBOUGHT." In 1972, Shirley Chisolm entered several Democratic presidential primaries, receiving 151 delegate votes for the presidential nomination. Though Congresswoman Margaret Chase-Smith had previously been nominated as a Republican, Shirley Chisholm was both the first woman to run for the Democratic nomination for President-and the first Black person period. Her second book, "THE GOOD FIGHT," was published in 1973. She served in Congress until 1982.
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