Routledge Shirley Chisholm: Catalyst for Change (Lives of American Women)

A staunch proponent of breaking down racial and gender barriers, Shirley Chisholm had the esteemed privilege of being a pioneer in many aspects of her life. She was the first African American woman from Brooklyn elected to the New York State legislature and the first African American woman elected to Congress in 1968. She also made a run for the Democratic Party nomination for president in 1972. Focusing on Chisholm's lifelong advocacy for fair treatment, access to education, and equal pay for all American minority groups, this book explores the life of a remarkable woman in the context of twentieth-century urban America and the tremendous social upheaval that occurred after World War II.About the Lives of American Women series: Selected and edited by renowned women's historian Carol Berkin, these brief biographies are designed for use in undergraduate courses. Rather than a comprehensive approach, each biography focuses instead on a particular aspect of a woman's life that is emblematic of her time, or which made her a pivotal figure in the era. The emphasis is on a 'good read', featuring accessible writing and compelling narratives, without sacrificing sound scholarship and academic integrity. Primary sources at the end of each biography reveal the subject's perspective in her own words. Study questions and an annotated bibliography support the student reader. Review "Just what any professor wants: books that will intrigue, inform, and fascinate students! These short, readable biographies of American women--specifically designed for classroom use--give instructors an appealing new option to assign to their history students." -- Mary Beth Norton, Mary Donlon Alger Professor of American History, Cornell University ""For educators keen to include women in the American story, but hampered by the lack of thoughtful, concise scholarship, here comes 'Lives of American Women, ' embracing Abigail Adams's counsel to John--'remember the ladies.' And high time, too!" -- Lesley S. Herrmann, Executive Director, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History "These books are, above all, fascinating stories that will engage and inspire readers. They offer a glimpse into the lives of key women in history who either defied tradition or who successfully maneuvered in a man's world to make an impact. The stories of these vital contributors to American history deliver just the right formula for instructors looking to provide a more complicated and nuanced view of history." -- Rosanne Lichatin, 2005 Gilder Lehrman Preserve America History Teacher of the Year "Winslow's synthesis and attention to race, class, and gender dynamics makes it an excellent introduction to a woman who prided herself on being 'unbossed and unbought.'...Chisholm understood that politics is never a spectator sport; Winslow reminds us that we ignore it at our peril." -- Truthout "Winslow offers a valuable perspective on a woman who faced challenges of race and sex as she pushed the agenda for social justice in her long political career." -- Booklist Praise for the Lives of American Women series: "Finally! The majority of students--by which I mean women--will have the opportunity to read biographies of women from our nation's past. (Men can read them too, of course!) The 'Lives of American Women' series features an eclectic collection of books, readily accessible to students who will be able to see the contributions of women in many fields over the course of our history. Long overdue, these books will be a valuable resource for teachers, students, and the public at large." -- Cokie Roberts, author of Founding Mothers and Ladies of Liberty "When my daughter announced to her 4th grade teachers that she wanted to study Shirley Chisholm for her Women's History Month project, they responded by saying, 'who?' Their response is indicative of the nearly complete erasure of this extraordinary woman from our shared political cannon. This text rushes in