On January 25, 1972, Shirley Chisolm announced that she would seek the Democratic Party nomination for president, thus becoming the first African American woman to run for president for a major political party.
Though she was also the first African-American woman elected to Congress in 1968, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a founding member of the National Women’s Political Caucus, her accomplishments did not come without hard work, a strong backbone, and resolute dedication.
Watch her iconic declaration of her intent to run for office, and learn how it felt to be in her shoes.