Bipartisan legislation honoring the late Shirley Chisholm, the nation’s first Black congresswoman, became law last week as the 118th Congress concluded with a final round of bills.
President Joe Biden signed the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act on Thursday, posthumously honoring Chisholm, who died in 2005, with Congress’ highest award for her outstanding service and achievements.
Days earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris signed the measure in her role as president of the U.S. Senate, flanked by the bill’s two primary sponsors, Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-California, and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California.
“It was an honor to stand next to Vice President Kamala Harris as she signed this historic bill,” Lee said in a statement. Chisholm became a mentor to Lee as a student and as Lee built her own career in public service.
Vice President Kamala Harris signs the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, which gives the late congressman the highest civilian award Congress can bestow.
“I don’t see anyone more deserving than Shirley Chisholm,” Lee added. “It is critical for the next generation of leaders to see the first Black woman elected to Congress receive the recognition she deserves.”
Butler, who left her position last week to make way for new Sen. Adam Schiff, said Chisholm “has left a mark on our country’s history that demands its own recognition.”
Butler added that she commended Chisholm’s “patriotism, leadership and dedication to our nation,” with her service to New York and our nation, she has truly earned it.
Under the legislation, the gold medal will be under the direction of the U.S. Treasury Department and will be designed and struck with Chisholm’s image, name and “appropriate” emblems and inscriptions. It is given to the Smithsonian Institution and made available for display at events and locations associated with Chisholm. Duplicates can be minted and sold to the public.
The daughter of Caribbean immigrants with roots in Barbados and Guyana, Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree from Columbia University, she worked in the fields of education and social services. Chisholm would later seek a seat in the New York State Assembly, and after her election in 1964, she became the second black lawmaker. Two years later, she helped found the National Organization for Women.
When the activist decided to run for Congress, she resisted ridicule and threats, but tireless campaigning helped “Fighting Shirley” – whose slogan was “Unbought and Unbossed” – win a seat in 1968. After being sworn in, she quickly built a reputation as an outspoken advocate for civil rights, gender equality, and uplifting the vulnerable and marginalized.
The Democrat introduced about 50 pieces of legislation in seven terms, ranging from pushing for immigration reform and child benefits to federal lands for Native American tribes. She spoke out on issues such as ending the Vietnam War and providing safety nets for families, such as food stamps. While serving on the Agriculture Committee, she worked with colleagues such as Republican Senator Bob Dole of Kansas to help develop the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children known as WIC.
Chisholm broke new ground with her high-profile campaign for the presidency of the United States in 1972; She made waves again, this time as the first black candidate and black woman to seek the nomination of a major political party.
In 1983, the lawmaker retired and moved to Florida. Ten years later, she was asked by President Bill Clinton to serve as his government’s ambassador to Jamaica, but health problems reportedly prevented her appointment. She died at the age of 80 on New Year’s Day in 2005 and is buried in Buffalo, New York, near her husband, former State Assemblyman Arthur Hardwick.
The same year of her death, then-Rep. Charles Rangel, D, N.Y. — who co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus with Chisholm — introduced the first of several bills intended to celebrate her life and legacy. Lee then introduced a series of congressional measures to honor Chisholm.
During a CBC “Special Order Hour” earlier this month on the House floor, Lee talked about those efforts years ago. When members were considering an earlier resolution to honor Chisholm, before she died, Lee called her mentor from the House cloakroom and urged her to watch the proceedings on C-Span. Lee recalled that Chisholm was initially alarmed as the votes were counted and asked her, “Barbara, where are the Republicans?” I have worked closely with Republicans on an ongoing basis….”
Lee was quickly reassured that GOP members were on board, saying Chisholm was “relieved. I mean, that’s just how seriously she took her bipartisan work.
Now, in this year commemorating Chisholm’s centennial, support for the gold medal came from both sides of the aisle.
In addition to Lee, the bill was led in the House by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as well as members including Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., and Byron Donalds, R-Fla. .
The Senate companion legislation was introduced by Butler and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and passed with bipartisan support. Democrats, Republicans and independents voted in favor in both chambers.
During the CBC event, member after member stood up to share fond memories of Chisholm. Several younger representatives, including Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., and Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, expressed their respect and gratitude.
“I can’t help but think Shirley Chisholm is looking down on all of us and saying how proud she is that we got here,” Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, D-Fla., told colleagues that evening. “We have a lot of work to do. What she started must be finished, I hope, by our generation. By working together and by all of us recognizing her hard work on both sides.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
