A new feature film depicting the story of the nation's first Black congresswoman, political icon Shirley Chisholm, and her trailblazing run for president is now streaming on Netflix.
The film "Shirley," starring Oscar-winner Regina King, Lance Reddick, and Terrence Howard, depicts Chisholm's run for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination.
Chisholm, who was born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, went to Girls High School and attended Brooklyn College, graduating with honors in 1946. After starting the Unity Democratic Club in 1960, which mobilized Black and Hispanic voters, she won her Congressional seat in 1968, becoming the first Black woman to be elected to Congress.
When Chisholm ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1972, she knew that she could not win the nomination, but nevertheless, she wanted to raise issues she felt were important. She was the first African American and the first woman to run for president.
King, in describing Chisholm, said the Brooklynite's actions "inspired so many to move beyond their comfort zone."
"We brought that 'Unbought and Ubossed' spirit in making this film," King said, referring to Chisholm's book.
The film, currently streaming on Netflix, was written and directed by John Ridley.
