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The Announcement, The Strategy, and In Context

For a FREE Chisholm '72 lesson plan & downloadable study guide: Click here.

The Announcement
Mrs. Chisholm declares her candidacy on January 25, 1972 in Brooklyn at the Concord Baptist Church. Walter Cronkite introduces her candidacy to America on the CBS nightly news by saying, “A hat, rather a bonnet has been tossed into the presidential ring today that of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.”

Read Chisholm’s Announcement Speech: Click here.

The Strategy
Mrs. Chisholm’s campaign had an obvious symbolism to as a first. However, Chisholm also had a viable political strategy in 1972 and, although she was not always taken seriously, she was serious. As she responded to a reporter after her announcement speech, “Of course I am going out here to try to capture this nomination. And with about 10 or 11 different people running, and I'm the only unique individual that's running, there's no telling what can happen. But in the event I'm not able to achieve said nomination, I want to be in a position where all of those forces in Am that have never had any real input into who is going to be the chief exec of this land will have me as their instrument. Namely blacks, women, young, Spanish-speaking peoples. And therefore in the most beautiful possible, bloodless revolution at the DNC we can get together a ticket that is reflective of all different segment that make up this great land called America."

Read more about Chisholm’s strategy told in her own words: Click here.


In Context
See campaign materials from all the candidates including Chisholm. Learn about the 1972 election by downloading a candidates issues brochure, reading campaign announcement and acceptance speeches, viewing campaign logos, and analyzing popular vote and electoral college data.

Click on: www.4president.org/ocmi1972.htm

Learn more about Chisholm’s campaign in the context of the 1972 presidential race by checking out the PBS’s P.O.V. website. For a direct link: Click here.


For more resources: Click here.

For a FREE lesson lesson plan and downloadable study guide: Click here.