Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005)

Corita Kent (Sister Mary Corita; American, 1918–1986)
Poster: Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed and Unbought, c. 1972
Lithograph, 22 x 17” (56 x 43 cm)

In 1968, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm (1924–2005), born in Brooklyn, Kings County, NY, was the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district largely made up of Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant community from 1969 to 1983. In the 1972 U.S. presidential election, Chisholm became the first Black candidate from a major party to seek nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. In 1977, she was elected Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus and served in the position until 1981.

Book cover and p. 97: Ninety-First Congress Congressional Pictorial Directory
Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1969
Lithograph, 5 3/4 x 4 3/8” (14.5 x 11.2 cm), closed

Book cover and p. 79: House of Representatives & United States Senate: An Omnibus of the Capitol (fifth edition)
Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1970
Lithograph, 14 x 10 1/2” (36 x 27 cm), closed

Designer unknown
Poster: Bring U.S. Together. Vote Chisholm 1972,
Unbought and Unbossed, 1972
Offset Lithograph, 14 5/8 x 11 1/2” (37 x 29.2 cm)

Designer unknown
Brochure: Shirley Chisholm for President, c. 1972
Lithograph, 9 1/8 x 4” (23.2 x 10 cm), closed
9 1/8 x 16 (23.2 x 40.5 cm), open

Designer Unknown
Flyers: Shirley Chisholm Speaks Out, nos. 1–8
Washington, D.C.: Chisholm for President Headquarters, 1972
Lithograph, two sizes 8 1/2 x 11” (28 x 21.5 cm) and 14 x 8 3/8” (35.5 x 21.5 cm)

First page of typescript for Shirley Chisholm speech: “Of Course Woman Dare”
Santa Barbara, CA: Shirley Chisholm for President Headquarters, c. 1972
Xerox (three sheets; six numbered pages), 14 x 8 1/2” (35.5 x 21.5 cm)
For whole speech, click here.

Designer(s) unknown
20 Shirley Chisholm campaign buttons, c. 1972
Lithograph adhered to pins, 1” to 1 3/4” diameter

Designer unknown
Poster: Shirley Chisholm Says: Vote for Howard Samuels for Governor
“He Cares,” 1974
Lithograph, 28 x 22” (71.1 x 55.8 cm)

Photographers unknown
L: Congresswoman Chisholm, c. 1975
Gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 (20.5 x 25.5 cm)
Inscribed (ink): To: George, good health and God’s Blessings / Congresswoman Chisholm
R: Shirley Chisholm, former Congresswoman, 1984
Gelatin silver print, 10 x 8” (25.2 x 20.5 cm)
Inscribed (ink): Always give the best that is within you to give! / Shirley Chisholm / Former Congresswoman / Sept. 1984

May 12, 2026