Many people think the most predominant social injustice in the 1960’s revolved around racism, which was mostly true. But few realize that gender inequality was a much more harmful than racism in aspects such as employment, family life, and government service, where women were disregarded and underpaid. To notice the differences between discriminations in gender and race, one would have to fall into both categories as Shirley Chisholm had, the first African-American Congresswoman. Having experienced this disadvantage, Chisholm directed her career in a different direction. On August 10th, 1969 in Washington D.C., Shirley Chisholm made history by addressing gender inequality in her speech, “For The Equal Rights Amendment”. By informing men and …show more content…
Shirley Chisholm broke restrictions within the African-American and female community by not only speaking her mind, but also talking about her experiences of being suppressed during the height of her political career. In her time in Congress, Shirley Chisholm mentioned that she was “far oftener discriminated against because [she was] a woman than because [she was] black” (France). Already an advocate for the poor areas by joining the Education and Labor Committee in Congress, she helped areas like Brooklyn and the Bronx to make it a point that her attention was directed towards a bigger, all-encompassing problem: gender inequality (Wilson). One of her biggest accomplishments in fighting for equality was hiring an all-female staff and providing more opportunities for them, saying “women [are] capable of entering many other professions and...they should be encouraged to do so,” which resonated with many women at the time (“Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm”). But since an all-female staff was not enough, she turned to the ERA for a broader solution (France). This marked the day Shirley Chisholm found the ERA to be the perfect solution to end discrimination. Shirley Chisholm presented this amendment to Congress in 1969, hoping they would approve the amendment with her captivating speech, persuading thousands of people to take her side on the
In John Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage, he defines political courage as one’s willingness to take action on personal ethics, even though it may trigger public criticism, retaliation, and political death. (Kennedy 7) Shirley Chisholm, the first African American Congresswoman used her voice to advocate for racial minorities, women, and the poor. Chisholm was a bold woman who wasn’t afraid to raise current social issues that many avoided talking about. On account of her strong sense of justice, she faced numerous obstacles in her years in office for doing what she believed was in the best interest for our country.
Her role as a leader in women’s equality cannot be overstated; Hill raised her voice in a time and situation in which it would have been far safer and far simpler to say nothing at all. Becoming Anita Hill Anita Hill
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman elected in the U.S. Congress and run for president as a Democratic candidate. Despite losing the presidential nomination Shirley Chisolm continued to be inspiration for young African American women across the United States. Chisholm was a great orator that used her voice to improve racial inequality and women rights for all Americans. Her speech given on the floor of the House of Representatives in 1968 will forever immortalize Shirley Chisholm’s dedication to improving human rights. The use of fallacies throughout her speech were used to captivate her audience and bring attention to the injustice that was going on in America.
We are Humans too, Right? For decades, women have been discriminated against due to limited job opportunities, low wages, and minimal acceptance to colleges. As an educated congress woman Shirley Chisholm was motivated to make changes in discrimination against women. In the early 1950’s Chisholm was accepted to Brooklyn College, New York, studied education then transferred to Columbia University for her master’s in Elementary Education; A few years later, she also served resolving issues regarding the Vietnam War, the National Organization for Women, the Bureau of Child Welfare.
In her speech, Chisholm states, "... the Constitution guarantees due process of law, in the 5th and 14th amendments." As Shirley Chisholm presents that the Constitution is a promise made to the people for the people but had that interpretation for men. She also mentions, "The 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1963 Equal Pay Act… are limited in their coverage -- for instance, one excludes teachers, and the other… professional women. " She brings forth an increased amount of attention upon the government not respecting its promises to the women of America.
There is discrimination; women and different races aren’t treated equally. Activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan Sparrow, and Harriet Tubman, along with many others, take this problem to solve from different “sides.” Stanton working mainly for women rights, Sparrow working for equal payment, and Tubman working mainly for slavery abolishment. All of these activists wanted all men and
The 1970s were a rough year for African-Americans, still fighting for social and political rights in the United States. Consequently, women still did not receive equal rights. However, in 1972, “Congress approved the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution, which reads: ‘Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex’ (History.com Staff).” Out of the thirty-eight necessary states only twenty-two ratified it right away, it was relieving for the moment because the feminist advocates had been trying to be ratified since 1923. The First African-American woman elected into Congress was Shirley Chisholm.
In 1974 Shirley Chisholm was picked to be the keynote speaker at a national conference for black women at the University of Missouri. In her speech "The Black Woman in Contemporary America" Chisholm expresses to her audience that black women are not interested in being addressed as "Ms." or in gaining more control over things than males, but rather African American women's top priority is the well-being of their families and communities. Being that this speech was giving during the era of the Civil Rights movement, Chisholm criticized white feminist. While she went into depth of how important it is for black and white women to unite around issues such as equal treatment, women's rights, and better job opportunities. The main focus of this speech
Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential Bid From the beginning, the world was a place of inequality. However, it is possible to change. Through hard work from significant individuals, the world has fought wars and created laws that have led towards equality.
The speech is highlighted as Chisholm carefully builds an affirmative case for change,
Chisholm responded by appealing to women voters to support her as a way of fighting discrimination against women.with the help of a strong grassroots campaign by women's organizations, Chisholm Beat farmer by substantial margin and became the first black woman in congress.(Morin pg3) “ Others believe that Shirley Chisholm didn't help the country because she didn't do much but when one reads articles and looks at the statistics she did amazing things to help America. like Shirley Chisholm did help decrease discrimination not just African Americans. However, shirley chisholm proved to be great leaders and trailblazer because “ Chisholm responded to Farmer by appealing to women voters to support her as a way of fighting discrimination against women with the help of a strong grassroots campaign by women's organization chisholm beat farmer by a substantial margin and became the first black women in congress” (Morin,pg3).
Women’s suffrage Have you ever thought about women 's rights and equality? It’s not as pretty or memorable as you think it is. But just like Shirley Chisholm said “at present, our country need’s womens idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else.” Which is true but back then it certainly wasn’t. Let me take you way back to when women and men were not equal, and when men had more power over women.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is hailed by many as one of the most important legislations in the American history. The act was passed into law 52 years ago under a lot of pressure and resistance from white senators and African American activists. The act, which was largely known as the “Bill of the century” was aimed at bringing equality for blacks and whites and end racial prejudice. The act was targeted to revolutionize America where blacks and whites would eat together in the same hotels and enjoy similar rights in public places without any discrimination.
In recent decades, there has been one of the most significant social changes; the economic status of women. Women have not only joined the labor-force but also enhanced their education, improved their occupational status, and economic rewards. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act. This was such growth for women all over the United States. It was the beginning of equality between men and women and that progress has continued into today’s society, with only one exception: women are still paid less than men.
In the United States the past 88 years’ women have been fighting for change by protesting for the equal rights that they deserve. Even though they were given job and education opportunities they were not being treated equally in the past. Virginia Woolf mentions in Shakespeare’s Sister that women were limited, beat, and had no saying in anything. In this essay, I will argue that not much has changed for women in the United States; they are still fighting for human rights today such as: equal pay, not to be discriminated, and not to be brutalized. Equal pay is still a struggle for women of all races in the United States today.