When I was growing up, I knew about Shirley Chisholm, the Black Congresswoman who ran for President in 1972 – the first Black woman to do so.

My mom had a copy of her autobiography,  Unbought and Unbossed, and clearly admired her. But who was Shirley Chisholm and what really happened? When I learned that the African American Museum of the Diaspora was holding a virtual film club featuring a film called Shirley Chisholm ’72, Unbought and Unbossed, I jumped at the chance to watch the film and join the conversation. (You can watch the film for free on Kanopy, if you have a library card, or on Amazon Prime video.) 

Director Shola Lynch says that she wanted to tell Shirley’s story while she was still alive, but it was hard because “nobody knew where she was.” It took persistence and synchronicity – “I met a guy in a bar whose mother lived next door to her – in Florida,” that led to Shola finally being able to meet up and carry out interview with Shirley. She tells a beautiful, compelling story that contains Shirley’s reflections on the campaign, as well as footage of Shirley giving speeches and telling it like it is. As someone who loves color, I was also delighted to see Shirley’s sense of style – she wore beautiful and colorful suits while traveling the campaign trail.  

During the opening scene, we see Shirley Chisholm addressing a crowded room at the Concord Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. And she says the following: 

I stand before you today as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the United states of America. I am not the candidate of black America although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country although I am a woman and I’m equally proud of that. I am the candidate of the people of America and my presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history.

Americans all over are demanding a new sensibility, a new philosophy of government of Washington. 

We can create a new America in 1972, one where there’s freedom from violence and war, at home and abroad, where’s there’s freedom from poverty and discrimination where there is at least a feeling that we’re making progress in ensuring for everyone medical care, employment and decent housing.

Those of you who can now vote for the first time, those of you who agree with me that the institutions of this country belong to all of the people who inhabit it, those of you who have been neglected, left out, ignored, forgotten or shunned aside for whatever reason – give me your help in this hour, join me in an effort to reshape our society and regain control of our destiny as we go down the freedom trail for 1972. 

 You’ll learn a lot about leadership from this film.

It was hard for Shirley. She battled both racism and sexism, and lack of support from the mainstream women’s movement and the Black caucus was a bitter disappointment. Having paid the expenses for the campaign out of her savings (a schoolteacher’s salary), she ended the campaign in debt. But true to her intent, she inspired millions. 

To see and hear Shirley Chisholm, in her own words, is food for the soul. And when you’ve watched the film, be sure to check out Shola Lynch talking to Cornelius Moore as she shares the behind the scenes story about making the film.