How did Shirley Chisholm make history in the 1968 United States congressional election?

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A history-making politician — Shirley Chisholm Shirley Chisholm, 1972.

In the 1968 United States congressional election, Shirley Chisholm made history by becoming the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. She ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, adopting the slogan "Fighting Shirley Chisholm—Unbought and Unbossed". Chisholm traveled throughout New York's 12th Congressional District, engaging directly with voters, particularly women. In the general election, she defeated James Farmer, a prominent civil rights leader. This victory marked a significant milestone in American political history, paving the way for greater representation.1