SHIRLEY CHISHOLM

Shirley Anita St. Hill was born November 30, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were Charles and Ruby St. Hill. Her dad was from British Guiana and her mom was from Barbados. 1927, Shirley and her two sisters were sent to live with her mom’s mother because their mom and dad were having financial difficulties. There she received a good education, which would help her in the future years to come.
In 1934, Shirley moved back to New York to live with her parents. That same year, her father introduced her to black-nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. She attended Girls High School in Brooklyn. She graduated in 1942. By being an excellent student, Shirley was offered scholarships to Vassar and Oberlin Colleges, but enrolled in Brooklyn College because it was more financially accessible. She had decided to pursue a career in teaching. There she majored in sociology. Shirley had to face racism while at Brooklyn College. Black students at Brooklyn College were denied the chance to be ...