"responsibilities of good citizenship and the importance of engaging the political process, while also providing opportunities for internships and other learning experiences at the local, state, national and global levels. The National Congress of Black Women's founding chairs were Shirley Chisholm and Dr. C. Delores Tucker. Shirley Chisholm was an educator, author, and politician. She became the first African American woman elected in Congress in 1968 and in 1972, became the first African American woman to make a serious bid to run for President of the United States. Dr. C. Delores Tucker was the first African American woman to serve"
"Shirley Chisholm Shirley Anita Chisholm (; November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was an American politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, and she represented New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. In 2015, Chisholm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Shirley Anita St. Hill was born on November 30,"
"speech ""For the Equal Rights Amendment"", given in 1970, is listed as in American Rhetoric's Top 100 Speeches of the 20th Century (listed by rank). Chisholm has been a major influence on other women of color in politics, among them California Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who stated in a 2017 interview that Chisholm had a profound impact on her career. Chisholm wrote two autobiographical books. Shirley Chisholm Shirley Anita Chisholm (; November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was an American politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, and she"
"Cardiss Collins Cardiss Hortense Collins (née Robertson; September 24, 1931 – February 3, 2013) was an American politician from Illinois who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first African-American woman to represent the Midwest in Congress. Collins was elected to Congress in the June 5, 1973 special election to replace her husband, George, who had died in the December 8, 1972 United Airlines Flight 553 plane crash. The seat had been renumbered from the 6th district to the 7th when she took the seat. She"
"Elizabeth Furse Elizabeth Furse (born October 13, 1936) is a Kenya Colony-born American small business owner and former faculty member of Portland State University. She was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999, representing Oregon's 1st congressional district. She is a Democrat, and was the first naturalized American born in Africa to win election to the United States Congress. Furse was born in Nairobi, Kenya Colony, to British parents, and grew up in South Africa. Inspired by her mother, she became an anti-apartheid activist in 1951, joining the first Black Sash demonstration in Cape"
"established an endowed chair in her honor, the Hannah Atkins Endowed Chair in Public Service. In 1998 Atkins received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, and, in 2000, an honorary doctorate from Oklahoma State University. Into the 21st century, Atkins continued to serve her community as a member of the Oklahoma Task Force for the Bombing Memorial. Her public papers are archived at Oklahoma State University. Hannah Atkins Hannah Diggs Atkins (November 1, 1923 – June 17, 2010) was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980, and the first African-American woman elected to"
"feature two African Americans serving at the same time in the modern era. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, which strengthened black voting rights, increased the position of black office-seekers. Shirley Chisholm became the first African American female member of Congress when she won a 1968 election in New York, while Andrew Young of Georgia became the first modern African American congressman from the South after he won election in 1972. In 1970, a year that saw the election of four black freshman congressman, black membership in the House reached double-digits. Only eight African Americans have served in the U.S."
"Hannah Atkins Hannah Diggs Atkins (November 1, 1923 – June 17, 2010) was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980, and the first African-American woman elected to it. She was later appointed to the simultaneous positions of Secretary of State of Oklahoma and Secretary of Social Services, establishing her as the highest ranked female in Oklahoma state government until she retired in 1991. Hannah Diggs was born on November 1, 1923 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to James and Mabel (Kennedy) Diggs. Hannah was the fifth of six children born to the family. She and her"
"to the National Register of Historic Places in September 1971. Susanna M. Salter Susanna Madora Salter (née Kinsey; March 2, 1860 – March 17, 1961) was a U.S. politician and activist. She served as mayor of Argonia, Kansas, becoming the first woman elected as mayor and one of the first women elected to any political office in the United States. Susanna Madora Kinsey was born March 2, 1860, near the unincorporated community of Lamira in Smith Township, Belmont County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Oliver Kinsey and Terissa Ann White Kinsey, the descendants of Quaker colonists from England. At"
"died in New Orleans in 2000, eight days after her 72nd birthday. She resided at 1300 Perdido Street. Dorothy Mae Taylor Dorothy Mae DeLavallade Taylor (August 10, 1928 – August 18, 2000), was an educator and politician in New Orleans, the first African-American woman to be elected to and serve in the Louisiana House of Representatives. From 1971 to 1980, she represented District 20, since renumbered, in her native New Orleans. She had started her career as a teacher in the Head Start Program, designed to benefit children in their early years. She was also active in civil rights in"
"Dorothy Mae Taylor Dorothy Mae DeLavallade Taylor (August 10, 1928 – August 18, 2000), was an educator and politician in New Orleans, the first African-American woman to be elected to and serve in the Louisiana House of Representatives. From 1971 to 1980, she represented District 20, since renumbered, in her native New Orleans. She had started her career as a teacher in the Head Start Program, designed to benefit children in their early years. She was also active in civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s, gaining more resources for facilities for African Americans in the city. As Director of"
"Nettie Langston Napier Nettie Langston Napier (born Nettie DeElla Langston) from Nashville was an African American activist for the rights of colored women during the early part of the 20th century. Nettie Langston's father was John Mercer Langston, the first black person to be elected to the US Congress from Virginia, and dean of the law school at Howard University. She was born in 1861 in Oberlin, Ohio, into an upper-class family. She attended Howard for a year and then transferred to Oberlin College, where she studied music. Her future husband, James Carroll Napier, worked at the State Department, and"
"Jeannette Rankin Jeannette Pickering Rankin (June 11, 1880 – May 18, 1973) was an American politician and women's rights advocate, and the first woman to hold federal office in the United States. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana in 1916, and again in 1940. She remains the only woman elected to Congress by Montana. Each of Rankin's Congressional terms coincided with initiation of U.S. military intervention in each of the two world wars. A lifelong pacifist and a supporter of non-interventionism, she was one of 50 House members, along with 6 Senators, who opposed the"
"Black woman, Charlene."" As a third-party candidate in the Election of 1968, Mitchell was the first African-American woman to run for President of the United States. She represented the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and her running mate was Michael ""Mike"" Zagarell, the National Youth Director of the party. At 23 years of age, he was younger than the constitutionally required age of 35 to hold office. They were entered on the ballots in only two states. Mitchell's brother and sister-in-law Franklin and Kendra Alexander had also been active in the party. In 1988, Mitchell ran as an Independent Progressive for"
"Lindy Boggs Marie Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs, usually known as Lindy Boggs (March 13, 1916 – July 27, 2013), was a United States politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later as United States Ambassador to the Holy See. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Louisiana. She was also a permanent chairwoman of the 1976 Democratic National Convention, which met in New York City to nominate the Carter-Mondale ticket. She was the first woman to preside over a major party convention. Boggs was the widow of former Majority Leader of the"
"Florence Prag Kahn Florence Prag Kahn (November 9, 1866 – November 16, 1948) was an American teacher and politician who in 1925 became the first Jewish woman to serve in the United States Congress. She was only the fifth woman to serve in Congress, and the second from California, after fellow San Franciscan Mae Nolan. Like Nolan, she took the seat in the House of Representatives left vacant by the death of her husband, Julius Kahn. Kahn was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Conrad and Mary Prag, Jewish Polish immigrants who befriended the Mormon leader Brigham Young, and"
"Distribution Center, located at 433 W. Harrison St. in Chicago, Illinois, is named in her honor and was completed in 1996 to replace the old Main Post Office across the street on Van Buren Street. Cardiss Collins Cardiss Hortense Collins (née Robertson; September 24, 1931 – February 3, 2013) was an American politician from Illinois who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1973 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first African-American woman to represent the Midwest in Congress. Collins was elected to Congress in the June 5, 1973 special election to replace"
"referee. Cora Brown Cora Mae Brown (born April 19, 1914 – December 17, 1972), was the first African-American woman elected (rather than appointed) to a state senate in the United States. She won her seat in the Michigan State Senate in 1952, beating a male candidate for the position. Brown was a Democrat who represented Detroit. Cora Brown was Richard and Alice Brown's only child. She was born in Bessemer, Alabama on April 16, 1914. When better economic conditions did not appear for their family when they moved to Birmingham, her grandparents urged her parents to move north to Michigan."
"House of Representatives in 1917 as the first woman in either chamber of Congress. Florence Prag Kahn entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 1925 as the first Jewish woman in either chamber of Congress. U.S. Representative Vera Buchanan died in 1955, making her the first woman in either chamber to die in office. Patsy Mink, an Asian American, entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 1965 as the first woman of color in either chamber of Congress. U.S. Representative Charlotte Reid became the first woman to wear pants in the U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate in 1969."
"name and picture. Oakar served as president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) from 2003 through 2010. ADC describes itself as the largest Arab-American grassroots civil-rights organization in the U.S. Mary Rose Oakar Mary Rose Oakar (born March 5, 1940) is an American Democratic politician and former member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio, the first Democratic woman elected to the United States Congress from that state. She is currently a member of the Ohio State Board of Education. Oakar, who graduated with a B.A. from Ursuline College in 1962 and an M.A. from John Carroll University"
"Julia Carson Julia May Carson (July 8, 1938 – December 15, 2007), born Julia May Porter, was a member of the United States House of Representatives for from 1997 until her death in 2007 (numbered as the 10th District from 1997 to 2003). Carson was the first woman and first African American to represent the 7th District. She was also the second African American woman elected to Congress from Indiana, after Katie Hall. Carson was born in Louisville, Kentucky. The daughter of Velma V. Porter, she moved to Indianapolis while still a girl and worked in various positions to support"
"Mary Booze Mary Cordelia Montgomery Booze (1877–1948), a daughter of former slaves, was the first African-American woman to sit on the Republican National Committee. From 1924 until her death, she was the national committeewoman for her native state of Mississippi. Booze's father, Isaiah T. Montgomery (1847-1924), was a cotton producer politically allied with the famous Republican educator Booker T. Washington. In 1887, the Montgomerys moved to Bolivar County south of Clarksdale in the rich delta country of northwestern Mississippi. There Montgomery founded an all-black agricultural community, Mound Bayou, located on the Mississippi River. Mary studied for two years at the"
"Maxine Waters Maxine Moore Waters (née Carr, August 15, 1938) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Waters has served in Congress since 1991. She previously represented the state's 29th district (1991–1993) and 35th district (1993–2013). She is the most senior of the twelve black women currently serving in Congress; she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus from 1997 to 1999. Before becoming a U.S. Representative, she served in the California State Assembly, to which she was first elected in 1976. As an Assemblywoman, Waters advocated divestment from South Africa's"
"in the minority at that time. Mary Booze Mary Cordelia Montgomery Booze (1877–1948), a daughter of former slaves, was the first African-American woman to sit on the Republican National Committee. From 1924 until her death, she was the national committeewoman for her native state of Mississippi. Booze's father, Isaiah T. Montgomery (1847-1924), was a cotton producer politically allied with the famous Republican educator Booker T. Washington. In 1887, the Montgomerys moved to Bolivar County south of Clarksdale in the rich delta country of northwestern Mississippi. There Montgomery founded an all-black agricultural community, Mound Bayou, located on the Mississippi River. Mary"
"that she had suffered from dementia. She is believed to have died on February 20, 2010, however, her body was not discovered for 11 days. Juanita Goggins Juanita W. Goggins (May 11, 1934 – c. February 20, 2010) was the first African-American woman elected to the South Carolina legislature; in 1974 she gained a seat in the state House of Representatives. She was re-elected and served a total of three terms before resigning for unspecified health reasons in 1980. Born in rural Anderson County, South Carolina in 1934, Juanita was one of ten children of sharecroppers. She was the only"
"""Madame Congressman"" was never published. Mary Teresa Norton Mary Teresa Norton (March 7, 1875 – August 2, 1959) was an American politician. She and Florence Prag Kahn were the fifth and sixth women to serve in the United States House of Representatives, beginning on March 4, 1925. Norton was the first Democrat; the other five were Republicans. She chaired four House committees during her tenure. She was a labor advocate and a supporter of women's rights. She was born as Mary Teresa Hopkins in Jersey City, New Jersey. She attended parochial schools and the Jersey City High School, and graduated"
"other Democratic appointees until their dismissal by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in December 1953. Returning to New Mexico, Lusk was elected to two additional terms as state superintendent and served from 1955 to 1960. Georgia Lee Lusk Georgia Lee Witt Lusk (May 12, 1893 – January 5, 1971) was the first female U.S. Congressional representative from New Mexico, an educator, and a devoted public servant. She was born Georgia Lee Witt (her maiden name often shortened to 'Lee') on a ranch near Carlsbad, New Mexico. After graduation from Carlsbad High School in 1912 she attended Highlands University in Las Vegas,"
"Frances E. Williams Frances Elizabeth Williams (September 17, 1905 – January 2, 1995) was an American actress, activist, organizer, and community worker. Williams was the first black woman to run for the California State Assembly in 1948 on the Progressive Ticket and served on the boards of the Screen Actors Guild, Actors' Lab, and Actors Equity. She represented the World Peace Council at the first Angola Independence Celebration in 1975, and co-founded the Art Against Apartheid Movement in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Williams was born Frances Elizabeth Jones on September 17, 1908, in East Orange, New Jersey, to William"
"Jessie De Priest tea at the White House In 1929, United States First Lady Lou Hoover invited Jessie De Priest, the wife of Chicago congressman Oscar De Priest, to the traditional tea by new administrations for congressional wives at the White House. Oscar De Priest, a Republican, was the first African American elected to Congress in the 20th century and the first elected outside the South. Southern politicians and journalists strongly objected to the invitation of De Priest with vitriolic attacks. The White House invitation was a nexus of larger issues. At the turn of the century the Southern states"
"Pearl Peden Oldfield Pearl Peden Oldfield (December 2, 1876 – April 12, 1962) was a U.S. Democratic politician. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Arkansas. She was born Frances Pearl Peden in Cotton Plant, Arkansas to John A. and Amanda Helen (Hill) Peden. She attended the schools of Cotton Plant and Arkansas College in Batesville. In 1901, she married William A. Oldfield. They remained married until his death, and had no children. She was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas in a special election caused by the death of her"
"national civil rights legislation in 1964 and 1965, although marked increases in Southern Presidential voter turnout began with the 1952 presidential election and continued during the next three. Jessie De Priest tea at the White House In 1929, United States First Lady Lou Hoover invited Jessie De Priest, the wife of Chicago congressman Oscar De Priest, to the traditional tea by new administrations for congressional wives at the White House. Oscar De Priest, a Republican, was the first African American elected to Congress in the 20th century and the first elected outside the South. Southern politicians and journalists strongly objected"
"Charlotta Bass Charlotta Amanda Spears Bass (February 14, 1874 – April 12, 1969) was an American educator, newspaper publisher-editor, and civil rights activist. She also focused on various other issues such as housing rights, voting rights, and labor rights, as well as police brutality and harassment. Bass is believed to be the first African-American woman to own and operate a newspaper in the United States; she published the ""California Eagle"" from 1912 until 1951. In 1952, Bass became the first African-American woman nominated for Vice President, as a candidate of the Progressive Party. Due to her activities, Bass was repeatedly"
"Mary Townsend Seymour Mary Townsend Seymour (1873–1957) was an American politician, and the first African American woman in the United States to run for state office. Seymour was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and her parents died while she was a teenager. Prior to her mother's death, she was adopted by the family of the American Civil War veteran and social activist Lloyd G. Seymour. In June 1888 she visited the City Hall to review her birth certificates and declared her official name as Mary Emma Townsend Seymour. In 1891, she married Frederick Seymour, a member of the Seymour family. Many"