Today, Chisholm’s legacy lives on. In 2008, she was honored with a painting in the U.S Capitol. Additionally, in 2015, Chisholm received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama and was commemorated with a stamp in her honor and a State Office building in Brooklyn, NY. Recently, in 2019, New York City’s largest State Park was dedicated to her by Governor Cuomo.
Legacy:
"Shirley Chisholm broke down racial and gender barriers in American politics and serves as an inspiration ...Chisholm's achievements were historic and paved the way for more... to find the courage to run for office. She is emblematic of the power that can be found in giving a voice to a diversity of people."
~ Toni Van Pelt, NOW President 2018
"Shirley Chisholm led the fight to improve the health and wellness of underserved communities that we carry on today with the Vital Brooklyn initiative, and we are proudly naming this park after her in admiration for the example of leadership and devotion she set for all of us."
~ New York Governor Cuomo
"Shirley Chisholm's example trancends her life. When asked how she'd like to be remembered, she said, 'I'd like them to say Shirley Chisholm had guts' ... I'm proud to say it - Shirley Chisholm had guts."
~ Former President, Barack Obama
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"An activist and a trailblazer, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress, running under the slogan "Unbought and Unbossed". A champion for social change, she spoke out against racial and gender inequality, and paved the way for future Black leaders."
~ Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House
Many women and minorities are still being galvanized by her guts and non-stop effort to break society's barriers to equality for all. She is remembered as noble, spirited, and driven. She proved that no matter one’s background or beliefs, one can, in fact, cause change. She has influenced many to step up to the podium and be a catalyst for change causing an uprising in the number of women and minorities in politics. Chisholm broke the barriers no one dared to even try to break and opened many doors for others like her to do the exact same.
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"When I made history in Delaware by becoming the first woman and person of color to win federal office, Shirley’s spirit was with me—folding chair in hand." —Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)
Courtesy Of www.elle.com
"I stand on the shoulders of the first African American woman elected to Congress, Shirley Chisholm. I greatly admire her tenacity and courage... this woman, this Congresswoman, this Champion for change, who dared to be her authentic self and defy the odds in pursuit of truth, justice, and equality for all." —Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14)
"The legacy left by Shirley Chisholm has had a profound impact on my life... I knew it was possible–hard, but possible—... to be elected as the first African American woman from the state of Connecticut, 50 years to the day after Shirley Chisholm, gives young people a contemporary example" —Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-5)
Courtesy Of www.elle.com
"Shirley Chisholm declared before it was cool, before people were really welcoming her in, that she was going to be unbought and unbossed. What that means to me is that you cannot be afraid, and you cannot be afraid to say no... I am here to serve the people, and she really embodies that." —Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
Courtesy Of www.elle.com
Courtesy Of www.elle.com
"Now, as a 'first' in Congress myself, I think about the path that she laid for other women of color, not just by walking it, but by actively pulling others behind her and inspiring their own leadership. She was the first voice for us in these rooms where the policies that change our lives—for better or worse—are created. " —Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)
Courtesy Of www.nytimes.com
“For the first time in history, there are more than 20 Black women serving in the United States Congress—and we all stand on the shoulders of Shirley Chisholm. Shirley’s legacy inspires us to continue our fight to give a voice to the voiceless and pursue justice and equality for every American. ”
~ Sen. Kamala Harris (CA-17)
Courtesy Of www.history.com
"I want to be remembered as a woman who lived in the twentieth century and who dared to be a catalyst of change."
~ Shirley Anita Chisholm
Lilly Smith & Sarah Ragoonanan Junior Category - Group Website Word Count - 1193 Process Paper Word Count - 486 Media Time - 3:53