It's Her Story Shirley Chisholm

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Equal Rights. Race. History. This is a biography in the form of a graphic novel about Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress and the first Black woman ever to be nominated as the president of the United States. Shirley, a champion of equal rights for women, spent most of her childhood in Barbados, moved to the US later on, and went on to achieve great things while constantly breaking the glass ceiling in a racially charged US. She overcame all the obstacles she met with being a Black woman, and went on to become a high-achieving student, winning awards and getting herself into prestigious colleges. Soon enough, she realised she would need to fight and raise her voice to be heard in a world run by men, and in doing so, encouraged many other women to question authority and to dissent where necessary. A truly inspiring read for children from all backgrounds. Kasturi Roy Bardhan "Fighting Shirley" was no ordinary politician. The story opens in Barbados, where Shirley Chisolm spent a relatively carefree early childhood with her sister, Muriel, on their grandparents' farm. Upon being sent to live with her parents in Brooklyn, Shirley had to adjust to much stricter household rules. She excelled academically throughout her school years, and after graduating from Brooklyn College, began her teaching career in early childhood education. As an administrator of child care centers, Chisolm devoted herself to child welfare and community affairs. Her work put her in touch with the needs of working people and their families, and she labored ceaselessly to get candidates elected who would make meaningful changes. Eventually, she decided to run for office herself and became the second Black woman elected to the New York Assembly and, after that, the country's first Black congresswoman. Aggs relates how Chisholm dedicated her efforts to improving the lives of her constituents, often finding herself at loggerheads with colleagues. Chisholm's boldness and desire for change led her to seek the Democratic Party nomination for president of the United States. Although she was unsuccessful, her groundbreaking campaign was a momentous sociopolitical event. This lively, optimistic biography is an accessible introduction to Chisholm's life for younger readers, highlighting her determination to stay true to herself and her ideals. The illustrations aren't particularly original, but the colorful panels effectively propel the narrative. An interesting portrait of an American mover and shaker refreshingly presented in graphic novel format. (Graphic biography. 8-10) Shirley Chisholm story truly is one of bravery, determination and courage in the face of the greatest forms of adversity. There is also a real ringing of hope both in terms of Shirley as a hugely successful woman of colour and in terms of the support and rallying from good people who saw in her a chance to make a positive change. This book has to be in Key Stage Two book corners as an uplifting example of overcoming adversity and the power of honesty, integrity and hard work. Seventy years later, when Black people and women are still struggling to overcome prejudice and discrimination, this serves as a beacon to guide young people through the storm. Expand reviews