Shirley Chisholm was a great leader and a hero of mine. She was a catalyst for change; in many ways, she still is.

American politician – educator – and author, who in 1968 became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district.

In 1972, she became the first black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Her story lives in her words – truthful, fearless, bold, open, compassionate, kind, fierce – using every blood cell in her body to create change. And to make people’s lives and the world better.

It’s a personal choice to stand for the truth, which also means your truth. It’s one ideal, a core value I work with in leadership and executive coaching – helping you live with integrity in all aspects of your life and doing it with soul and commitment.

Shirley Chisholm lived this way. Her words stand out because of the facts and emotional feelings they create culturally.

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“We must reject not only the stereotypes that others have of us but also those that we have of ourselves.”

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“Of my two handicaps, being female put many more obstacles in my path than being black.”

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“If they don’t offer you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

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“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.”

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“I know that millions of Americans from all walks of life agree with me that leadership does not mean putting the ear to the ground to follow public opinion, but to have the vision of what is necessary and the courage to make it possible.”

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“I want history to remember me… not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be herself. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change in America… that Shirley Chisholm had guts.”

Thanks – Michael (he, him)

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This also matters – Equity and Equality.

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