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| Statement on the Passing of Shirley Chisholm |
2005-01-03 00:00:00.0 |
Donna Brazile
Shirley Chisholm was a powerful role model, public servant, fiery legislator and a spirited debater.
As a young intern on Capitol Hill, I was proud to meet the Honorable Shirley Chisholm before her retirement from Congress. Congresswoman Chisholm (alias "Mrs. C") was a graceful warrior who understood where society had assigned her a seat; but she stood up until attaining her rightful place.
Upon her retirement from Congress, Mrs. C became deeply committed to recruiting young women to actively participate in politics. As founder and the first national chairwoman of the National Political Congress of Black Women, Mrs. C worked tirelessly to expand the number of Black women in elected office. Later, I worked for her and she taught me how to navigate the political system.
For over 20 years, she was my mentor and friend. She enjoyed talking with her friends and keeping up to date on the political scene. She was a staunch Democrat.
Mrs. C was also a passionate educator who enjoyed reading books and lecturing. She will be dearly missed by all her friends and fans who never got a chance to meet the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first woman to make a serious bid for the Presidency of the United States.
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