Shirley Chisholm was an American politician and civil rights activist who was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1924. She became the first Black American woman elected to the United States Congress, serving seven terms as the representative for New York's 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983. Chisholm was a vocal advocate for women's rights and social justice, and she was known for her pioneering efforts to break down barriers for marginalized communities. She was also the first woman to seek the presidential nomination from a major political party in 1972.