Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm

Object Details

Date

July 12, 1976

Artist

Richard Avedon, 15 May 1923 - 1 Oct 2004

Sitter

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, 30 Nov 1924 - 1 Jan 2005

Exhibition Label

Brooklyn, New York

Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1968. A former nursery school teacher in New York City, Chisholm had entered politics four years prior, serving in the state’s General Assembly.

Brought up by working-class immigrant parents from Barbados and Guyana who believed in education and social empowerment, Chisholm represented New York’s widely diverse Twelfth District in Brooklyn. She fearlessly championed mothers, children, and the working poor, and called for an end to the Vietnam War. In 1972, under the campaign slogan “unbought and unbossed,” she became the first Black woman to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the presidency. Although her bid was unsuccessful, her candidacy forged the way for other women and people of color in mainstream politics. She retired from Congress in 1982.

In this portrait by Richard Avedon, Chisholm's upright stance and direct gaze convey the clarity of her conviction.

Brooklyn, Nueva York

En 1968, Shirley Chisholm pasó a ser la primera mujer negra elegida para la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU. La exmaestra preescolar había entrado a la política cuatro años antes, sirviendo en la Asamblea General del estado de Nueva York.

Chisholm tuvo padres de clase obrera, inmigrantes de Barbados y Guyana que valoraban la educación y el empoderamiento social. Representando al 12o distrito en Brooklyn, un área de gran diversidad, ella defendió con valentía a las madres, los niños y los trabajadores pobres, y abogó por el fin de la Guerra de Vietnam. En 1972, con el lema “sin precio y sin jefe”, fue la primera mujer negra que buscó la nominación a la presidencia por el Partido Demócrata. Aunque no triunfó, su candidatura abrió el camino a otras mujeres y personas de color en espacios centrales de la política. Se retiró del Congreso en 1982.

En este retrato de Richard Avedon, la postura erguida y la mirada directa de Chisholm comunican la claridad de sus convicciones.

Place

United States\New York\Kings\New York

Topic

Costume\Jewelry\Brooch

Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses

Costume\Jewelry\Bracelet

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Female

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Politics and Government\Government official\State Legislator\New York

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Politics and Government\Presidential candidate

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Education and Scholarship\Educator

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Lecturer

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Professor\University

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Politics and Government\Government official\US Congressman\New York

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Education and Scholarship\Administrator\School administrator

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: Civilian awards\Presidential Medal of Freedom

Portrait

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Exhibition

20th Century Americans: 1960-2000

On View

NPG, South Gallery 342

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; this acquisition was made possible by generous contributions from Jeane W. Austin and the James Smithson Society

Data Source

National Portrait Gallery

Object number

NPG.89.83.17

Type

Photograph

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Copyright

© The Richard Avedon Foundation

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 25.4 x 20.1cm (10 x 7 15/16")

Sheet: 35.5 x 27.6cm (14 x 10 7/8")

Mat: 55.9 x 40.6cm (22 x 16")

Metadata Usage

Usage conditions apply

GUID

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm45f2d7987-d643-4484-8f73-3fbdab098b0f

Record ID

npg_NPG.89.83.17