Shirley Chisholm political materials collection, 1969-1972

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Chisholm, Shirley, 1924-2005, Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture, and John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture
Abstract:
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm (1924-2005) was an American politician, educator, and author. She was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, where she represented New York's 12th district from 1969 through 1983. In 1972, she became the first major-party Black candidate for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. This collection includes mimeographed position papers from her presidential candidacy; two posters from her 1972 primary campaign; printed materials about Chisholm's political career; some printed ephemera from her campaign; and a photograph.
Extent:
1 Linear Foot
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11938

Background

Scope and content:

This collection comprises various printed ephemera items documenting aspects of Chisholm's political career.

There are 7 mimeographed position papers Chisholm distributed via her California State Headquarters in Los Angeles to promote her candidacy in the 1972 Democratic presidential primary. Topics include foreign aid (paper no. 1), the economy (paper no. 4), justice in America (paper no. 5), equal rights for women (1969 speech), the "busing dilemma", and the Middle East crisis. It also includes a statement on welfare reform that Chisholm made before the House of Representatives on June 18, 1971.

The collection contains a flier from a presidential campaign event for Chisholm in Pittsburgh as well as a program for "An Evening with Shirley Chisholm" presented by the Urban League Guild of Pittsburgh (1970). There are also two posters from Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign; some printed materials (Ebony and Jet Magazine profiles of Chisholm in Congress); an autograph, and uncaptioned group photograph including Chisholm.

Biographical / historical:

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm (1924-2005) was an American politician, educator, and author. She was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, where she represented New York's 12th district from 1969 through 1983. In 1972, she became the first major-party Black candidate for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. She received 152 first-ballot votes at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

Chisholm retired from Congress in 1983 and taught at Mt. Holyoke College. She died in Florida in 2005.

Acquisition information:
The Shirley Chisholm political materials collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2021. Originally titled Shirely Chisholm presidential campaign position papers. Addition acquired as a purchase from James Cummins in 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by Alice Poffinberger, September 2021; Full inventory added by Matthew Boone, January 2025

Addition added and collection re-titled by Meghan Lyon, May 2025

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2021-0080, 2025-0046

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Shirley Chisholm political materials collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1zb25