Shirley Chisholm

“Unbought and Unbossed”

I chose this image of Shirley Chisholm for the fact that she is in a triumphant pose even though she acknowledged that her run for the nomination bid from the democratic party for the Presidency of the United States, was a long shot. Carole Boyce Davies notes that Chisholm’s tactical and intentional campaign served as a blueprint for other Black female leaders both in the United States, as well as abroad. (Boyce Davies, 2022)

According to Boyce Davies Chisholm felt she was more criticized for her sex than her race. Once against highlight the multiple obstacles Black women faced when attempting to position themselves in a place of authority. What I have taken away from learning about Shirley Chisholm is her ability to understand not only what she was fighting for, but who she was fighting with. Her campaign, and subsequent voters, were mostly people of color, women and the youth. Chisholm understood that in order for a Black woman like her to have a chance at getting people on her side, she had to appeal to the people who also felt they had no voice.