Shirley Chisholm Brought Her Own Chair

Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazer. Fearless and gutsy, she was the first black woman in Congress and the first black major candidate to run for president of the United States. "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair," Shirley once said. That was her motto. Don't wait to be invited to the place where major decisions are being made.

Shirley fought to make the country better for all. When she ran for president, she picked a powerful slogan: Unbought and Unbossed. That meant no one could corrupt her values.

Shirley Chisholm opened doors for many girls, women and people of color to dare to dream and run for public office.