Black Feminism on Capitol Hill

Bibliographic Data

ID4052588
AuthorsAnastasia C Curwood (corresponding author), Anastasia Curwood
Year2015
Volume13
Issue1
Pages204-232
Publication date2015-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMeridians (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1536-6936 • E-ISSN: 1547-8424
PublisherDuke University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2979/meridians.13.1.204
OpenAlexW1443284015
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited17

Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) conducted a long political career in the service of black feminist ideas. Her 1972 run for President is the most famous of her efforts, but she also served fourteen years in Congress (1969-1983), serving Brooklyn, New York. As a holder of national elected office at the same time that black feminists were institutionalizing their activism into organizations, Chisholm bridged grassroots and local activism with the national state. She also bridged the ongoing black freedom struggle and women's movements, though not without complication and controversy. This essay uses Chisholm's writings and speeches, as well as government documents, newspaper archives, and interviews to demonstrate Chisholm's dual engagement with the antiracist and antifeminist movements of her time within the context of legislative politics

Feminism · Grassroots · Legislature · Newspaper · Political science · Politics · Sociology · American Political and Social Dynamics · Gender Politics and Representation · Gender Studies · History · Law · Public Administration · Race, History, and American Society