Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) was elected to the New York State legislature in 1964.
With a degree in education, she had set up day care centers for working mothers in Brooklyn. The centers were so successful that Brooklyn residents elected her to the New York State legislature.
In 1968, they elected her to Congress, where she was the first black congresswoman. She served for seven terms, from 1969 to 1982.
In 1972, she decided to run for president and campaigned for the Democratic Party nomination. She lost the bid, but established a first for the women of America. She retired from Congress in 1982.
