45 Powerful Shirley Chisholm Quotes: The American Politician Who Made History
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Born on 30 November 1924, Shirley Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author.
Shirley Chisholm is a well-known figure in the world of politics. She was the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress.
Shirley Chisholm's most famous achievement was to be the first African American candidate to run for the President of the United States by a major party and the first black woman to do so. Throughout her tenure as a member of the party, she raised her voice for racial and gender equality.
Shirley Chisholm quotes about power and Shirley Chisholm quotes on motivation are appreciated by all. Given below is a list of famous quotes from the remarkable woman.
For more relatable content, check out Thurgood Marshall quotes and Black History Inspirational quotes.
Shirley Chisholm Famous Quotes
Other than being the first African American candidate, Shirley Chisholm was also the first woman to be nominated for President of the United States by a major party. At the mere age of only 43 years, she represented the 12th Congressional District of New York, which she held for seven terms from 1969 to 1983.
The following is a list of quotes from Shirley Chisholm.
1. "I have never cared too much what people say. What I am interested in is what they do."
- Shirley Chisholm.
2. "When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses."
- Shirley Chisholm.
3." The Constitution they wrote was designed to protect the rights of white, male citizens."
- Shirley Chisholm.
4. "In the end anti-black, anti-female, and all forms of discrimination are equivalent to the same thing: anti-humanism."
- Shirley Chisholm.
5.. "An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
- Shirley Chisholm.
6. "Service is the rent you pay for room on this earth."
- Shirley Chisholm.
7. "I ran for the presidency, despite hopeless odds, to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo."
- Shirley Chisholm.
8. "Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread, and deep-seated, that it is invisible because it is so normal."
- Shirley Chisholm.
9. "I want history to remember me not just as the first black woman to be elected to Congress, not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and dared to be herself."
- Shirley Chisholm.
10. "You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas."
- Shirley Chisholm.
11. "When I die, I want to be remembered as a woman who lived in the twentieth century and who dared to be a catalyst for change."
- Shirley Chisholm.
12. "Political organizations are formed to keep the powerful in power. Their first rule is 'don’t rock the boat.'"
- Shirley Chisholm.
13. "At present, our country needs women’s idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else."
- Shirley Chisholm.
14. "I don’t measure America by its achievement but by its potential."
- Shirley Chisholm.
15. "All we want is for the trivial difference to make no difference.”
- Shirley Chisholm.
Best Shirley Chisholm Quotes
Shirley Chisholm was the first woman to get as close as any woman had ever come to winning the nomination before Hillary Clinton's campaign.
She achieved a lot at a very little age, holding office of the 12th Congressional District of New York for seven terms and as the running candidate for the President of the United States from a major party.
Besides her political achievements, she was an author too. Given below is a list of some of the best quotes by Shirley Chisholm.
16. "I am the people's politician. If the day should ever come when the people can't save me, I'll know I'm finished."
- Shirley Chisholm.
17. "The next time a woman of whatever color, or a dark-skinned person of whatever sex aspires to be president, the way should be a little smoother because I helped pave it."
- Shirley Chisholm.
18. "Defeat should not be the source of discouragement, but a stimulus to keep plotting."
- Shirley Chisholm.
19. "Apparently all they know here in Washington about Brooklyn is that a tree grew there."
- Shirley Chisholm.
20. "Take away an accident of pigmentation of a thin layer of our outer skin and there is no difference between me and anyone else."
- Shirley Chisholm.
21. "Laws will not eliminate prejudice from the hearts of human beings."
- Shirley Chisholm.
22. "The one thing you’ve got going: your one vote."
- Shirley Chisholm.
23. "America has the laws and the material resources it takes to insure justice for all its people. What it lacks is the heart, the humanity."
- Shirley Chisholm.
24. "If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring in a folding chair."
- Shirley Chisholm.
25. "Anyone who takes that role must pay a price."
- Shirley Chisholm.
Inspiring Shirley Chisholm Quotes
Being the first woman elected at Congress, Shirley Chisholm believed in racial equality and voting rights and fought for it. Throughout her years as an eminent personality of a major political party, she tried to bring about a positive change in society.
She also worked as a consultant to the New York City Division of Day Care. Here's a list of Shirley Chisholm quotes to inspire your life.
26. "As things are now, no one can tell who members of Congress are responsible to, except that it does not often appear to be to the people."
- Shirley Chisholm.
27. "Health is a human right, not a privilege to be purchased."
- Shirley Chisholm.
28. "I’m looking to no man walking this earth for approval of what I’m doing."
- Shirley Chisholm.
29. "It is not female egotism to say that the future of mankind may very well be ours to determine. It is a fact."
- Shirley Chisholm.
30. "We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves."
- Shirley Chisholm.
31. "We have been so patient and loyal and what has it gotten us? We want our full share now."
- Shirley Chisholm.
32. "Be as bold as the first man or woman to eat an oyster."
- Shirley Chisholm.
33. "Of my two 'handicaps', being female put many more obstacles in my path than being black."
- Shirley Chisholm.
34. "Some fine men are in Congress, too few, trying to do a responsible job."
- Shirley Chisholm.
35. "To label family planning and legal abortion programs 'genocide' is male rhetoric, for male ears."
- Shirley Chisholm.
Shirley Chisholm Feminist Quotes
In a world dominated by men, Shirley Chisholm helped pave the way for women to play an equal role. She believed in the extreme talent and power that lies in women and what women are capable of. The following is a list of Shirley Chisholm quotes about women empowerment.
36. "Women have learned to flex their political muscles. You got to flex that muscle to get what you want."
- Shirley Chisholm.
37. "'Liberty and justice for all' were beautiful words, but the ugly fact was that liberty and justice were only for white males."
- Shirley Chisholm.
38. "I love America not for what she is, but for what she can become."
- Shirley Chisholm.
39. "Some members of Congress are among the best actors in the world."
- Shirley Chisholm.
40 "Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt."
- Shirley Chisholm.
41. "Any time things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something."
- Shirley Chisholm.
42. "There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent creative personality for a fighter."
- Shirley Chisholm.
43. "That’s what’s wrong with the country. There are too many ‘good soldiers’ accepting too many bad decisions."
- Shirley Chisholm.
44. "I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the woman's movement of this country, although I am a woman and I am equally proud of that."
- Shirley Chisholm.
45. "In this country, everybody is supposed to be able to run for President, but that has never really been true."
- Shirley Chisholm.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Shirley Chisholm quotes, then why not take a look at Sheila Jackson Lee quotes or Spiro Agnew quotes.
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Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.
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