November 14, 2012
Research Paper Final Draft
May 21, 1969 was the day that an African American woman, Shirley Chisholm changed the lives of women in the United States. Why have women been given unequal opportunities? Why are they seen as different mentally? Chisholm addresses many questions like these in her speech to speak out for the women, to question the authorities which they have been afraid to stand up against. One event can lead to many outbreaks in society that lead to a good or an unlucky future. For women, the time had come to create a high-quality future for themselves and the generations to come. Until the late 1960’s women struggled with discrimination and prejudice with political, civil, and economic rights and Shirley Chisholm took the act to stand up for the unspoken women with her “Equal Rights for Women” speech in the House of Representatives.
Shirley Chisholm was a trademark in the late 1960's and is still known to this day for her bravery and compassion towards gaining rights for women. In the United States Congress, Chisholm was the first black woman elected. The text states, "As much a feminist as an advocate of civil rights, Chisholm claims that being a woman was more of a disadvantage in her political career than being black” (Martin and Sullivan 1). She was a very successful woman involved in many political groups including the Seventeenth Assembly District Democratic Club, New York State Assembly, Congressional Committee, and also ran for the democratic nomination for presidency. One can see this when stated, "Chisholm served fourteen years in the U.S. House of Representatives and was one of the most well-known women in America in her time” (Gifts of Speech 1). Although she was productive in the assembly, she became known to be politically rebellious and fearless by which she was outspoken with her own views and beliefs. This is seen in the text as, "Shirley Chisholm challenged that the...