Film on Shirley Chisholm, first Black Congresswoman, screens March 16

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On Thursday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m. sharp, Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed, the acclaimed documentary chronicling the political career late of the Shirley Chisholm, will be shown at the Plainfield Public Library. The screening is being presented by the Bayard Rustin Progressive Democrats in celebration of Women’s History Month, which is observed in March of each year.

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman (D-New York) elected to Congress. Four years later, she decided to run for President, the first African American and the first woman to run such a campaign.

Chisholm '72 documents Chisholm's 1972 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in a crowded field of twelve other candidates. Long a champion of the causes of the poor, the young, minorities, gays, women, and other marginalized Americans, the Chisholm campaign prefigured Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition campaigns, not only in substance but in style. Chisholm saw the presidential race itself as an opportunity to draw people to politics who traditionally did not participate.

“I ran for the presidency, despite hopeless odds,” Chisholm is quoted as saying, “to demonstrate sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.” The film features archival footage, period music, interviews with supporters, opponents and observers, and Chisholm's own commentary.

“The historical moment is quite exciting,” notes Rebecca Williams, Co-Chair of the Rustin Progressives, who will be introducing the film. “There’s the intersection of the civil rights movement with the Black Power movement, and also the women’s movement and the rise of the gay rights movement. The Vietnam War is still raging, and Watergate is quietly happening behind the scenes, and the country looks like it’s getting ready to explode.”

Produced and directed by Shola Lynch, Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed contributes a fascinating new chapter to American history.

The screening is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. The Plainfield Public Library has ample parking and the building is barrier-free. The Library is located at West Eighth Street and Park Avenue in Plainfield.

Wikipedia has a fine, brief biography here.

Keywords: Women, film
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