Did You Know?: Shirley Chisholm Was The First Black Woman Elected To Congress 55 Years Ago

Essence Magazine:

Don Hogan Charles / Contributor / Getty Images By Rayna Reid Rayford ·Updated November 6, 2023

Fifty-five years ago, on Nov. 5, 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress.

With the upcoming Election Day on Tuesday, ESSENCE is taking a look back at her historic campaign and political career.

The native New Yorker’s entry to politics started in 1953 campaigning for Lewis Flagg Jr., who was

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