4.0
Shirley Chisholm: The Last Interview
ByPublisher Description
Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress in 1968 after campaigning under the slogan, "Unbought and Unbossed," and her political career never swerved from that principle--she was fearless, undaunted, brilliant, and always first and foremost a servant to nobody but the people.
When Shirley Chisholm announced her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major party's nomination just four years after she had become the first ever black woman in Congress. In typical fashion, she acknowledged the landmark but knew it was beside the point: "I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women's movement of this country, although I am a woman and I'm equally proud of that." What she emphasized was: "I am the candidate of the people of America."
Her legacy has only further demonstrated her profoundly humane politics and her undaunted and tireless work ethic. In a set of interviews that extend from the first major profile by Susan Brownmiller to her final interview documenting her life and reflecting on her legacy, Shirley Chisholm reveals her disciplined and demanding childhood, the expectations on her placed by her family and the public, her tireless advocacy for the poorest and most disadvantaged in the halls of government, and the darkening course of American history. But on her legacy, Chisholm had one priority: "I'd like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That's how I'd like to be remembered."
When Shirley Chisholm announced her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major party's nomination just four years after she had become the first ever black woman in Congress. In typical fashion, she acknowledged the landmark but knew it was beside the point: "I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women's movement of this country, although I am a woman and I'm equally proud of that." What she emphasized was: "I am the candidate of the people of America."
Her legacy has only further demonstrated her profoundly humane politics and her undaunted and tireless work ethic. In a set of interviews that extend from the first major profile by Susan Brownmiller to her final interview documenting her life and reflecting on her legacy, Shirley Chisholm reveals her disciplined and demanding childhood, the expectations on her placed by her family and the public, her tireless advocacy for the poorest and most disadvantaged in the halls of government, and the darkening course of American history. But on her legacy, Chisholm had one priority: "I'd like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That's how I'd like to be remembered."
Download the free Fable app
Stay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.
Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building tool
Rate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tags
Curate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesStay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building toolRate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tagsCurate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesShirley Chisholm: The Last Interview Reviews
4.0
“It’s a shame that Shirley Chisholm is seldom talked about. She was the first Black woman in Congress and championed many laws and programs that continue to benefit millions today, such as WIC and Title IX. Her campaign slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed” was a rallying cry both in favor of the working class and against the predominantly male, white establishment. Her progressive views made her an easy target on the House floor, including from her Democratic colleagues. Regardless, Chisholm was a trailblazer and a necessary thorn in the side of patriarchy.
This book details how Chisholm came to win her congressional seat in 1968 and sheds light on the misogyny and racism she had to endure daily. Through a collection of conversations and interviews, Chisholm also discusses her fight, tenacity, and audacity–as she puts it–to be the first Black woman to seek a major-party nomination for the presidency. This book leaves you inspired to continue fighting despite the odds. At the same time, it leaves you depressed with the reality that much of Chisholm’s vision remains mostly unfulfilled. She expresses her oscillation between the two; she is optimistic about increased representation in Congress and addressing people’s needs. Simultaneously, she is uncertain that the nation will rise to the challenge given the institutions in place. Ultimately, Chisholm’s confidence reminds us all that our voice matters, and we must use it to enact change.
I leave you with some of Chisholm’s lines that I particularly enjoyed:
“The black man must step forward, but that does not mean we have to step back. Where have we ever been? For the last fifteen years, black men have held political office, not women.”
“I am committed to this. An instrument of people in this country who’ve been left out. An instrument of people whose councilman advice has never been sought in terms of putting a ticket together, only using the people every four years for their votes.”
“I want history to remember me, not that I was the first Black woman to be elected to the Congress, not as the first Black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a Black woman who lived in the twentieth century and who dared to be herself. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change in America.””
“"I'd like them to say that Shirley Chisholm had guts. That's how I'd like to be remembered." - Shirley Chisholm
Chisholm certainly accomplished that goal, but it stands out to me that I really didn't know much about Chisholm other than to have seen her referenced in articles about women running for president over the past few years. When I saw that she was covered in The Last Interview series, it seemed like a good opportunity for me to learn more about her life and accomplishments. Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress (1968) and the first Black woman to run for president (1972). She was never afraid to speak her mind and worked tirelessly on behalf of the people she represented. In The Last Interview and other Conversations, the publisher has collected a series of interviews done with Chisholm, beginning with one in 1969 and ending with one done in 2002. It was interesting to hear not only her perspective on her own life, but also to see what topics were covered in the interviews and how the interview was approached over that 30+ year period. This gave me a good intro to Chisholm's life and impact and made me want to know more -a good sign in any non-fiction read.
"You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas."”
About Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm was born to Caribbean immigrants in Brooklyn, New York. She ran for Congress in the newly drawn 12th District of New York in 1968 and became the first ever black woman to serve in Congress after an upset, grassroots-powered victory. She went on to run for president in 1972. While in Congress, she was instrumental in creating the national school lunch program, expanding the food stamp program, and establishing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.
Start a Book Club
Start a public or private book club with this book on the Fable app today!FAQ
Do I have to buy the ebook to participate in a book club?
Why can’t I buy the ebook on the app?
How is Fable’s reader different from Kindle?
Do you sell physical books too?
Are book clubs free to join on Fable?
How do I start a book club with this book on Fable?
