Shirley Chisholm Day Honors Pioneering New York Congresswoman on What Would Have Been Her 100th Birthday

NEW YORK — Shirley Chisholm, New York’s pioneering congresswoman from Brooklyn, will be honored tomorrow on what would have been her 100th birthday.

November 30th is Shirley Chisholm Day in New York City, and special centennial events are planned to honor the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968.

Pioneering Brooklyn Congressman Honored in New Exhibition

from Chisholm life and legacy are commemorated in the exhibition “Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100” at the Museum of the City of New York.

She was born in Brooklyn in 1924 and died in 2005 at the age of 80.

“Shirley Chisholm was unbought and bossless. She had the Brooklyn spirit. She was a fighter at all times,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“Just a pioneer, truly a symbol and embodiment of what the American dream is and can be,” said Kerwin Ledesna.

Ledesna brought his 2-year-old Nova to a vintage voting booth set up to represent the year 1972, when Chisholm announced her historic candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president.

‘Thanks to her we have had more women in politics’

In celebration of Chisholm’s 100th birthday, the Museum of the City of New York is offering special programming on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Definitely a range of activities for the whole family,” said Sarah Seidman, curator of social activism for the museum’s Puffin Foundation. “Making a megaphone to make your voice heard, different things.”

“Thanks to her we have had more women in politics,” said Lauren Frederick of Co-Op City.

“I feel represented by her,” Oswaldo Guedez said.

Recently, gatherings in Chisholm’s honor have been held throughout the region, including at Nostrand Park and Brower Park.

There is also Shirley Chisholm Place at Park Place and Kingston Avenue, and a newly renovated government building.

“On November 30, in conjunction with the celebration of Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday, we will also rededicate this state office building. Named for the Honorable Shirley Chisholm, it provides critical services to the communities of Central Brooklyn and beyond,” said Jeffries . .

The New York City Council Committee on Civil and Human Rights voted to declare November 30 as Shirley Chisholm Day on November 19. It is celebrated every year.