C5301

Black Heritage

Shirley Chisholm - Congresswoman

Collins Cover Announcement

Shirley Chisholm

First African-American woman elected to Congress 

Shirley Anita St. Hill was born on November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents from British Guiana. From ages 3 to 10 she lived in Barbados with her grandmother and, as a result, spoke with a slightly West Indian accent for the rest of her life. She attended Girls' High School in Brooklyn which was a highly regarded integrated facility and which led to her B.A. from Brooklyn College in 1946. hi 1949 she married Conrad Chisholm and in 1952 earned her Masters in Education from Columbia University.

In 1968 she became the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress. Chisholm represented New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. Her campaign motto was "Unbought and Unbossed," and she served with dedication and dignity throughout her career in Washington.

The new stamp has a first day of issue postmark from Brooklyn, New York. The hand painted cachet pictures Shirley near the entrance of New York's public library in front of the famous lion. The First Day Cover for Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm is now ready. Collins #C5301 at $15.00.