About This Lesson
Introduce students to the life, leadership, and legacy of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first Black woman to seek a major party's nomination for president. In this engaging video lesson, students learn how Chisholm's experiences as an educator shaped her belief that public policy affects everyday people and why she dedicated her career to expanding opportunities for those whose voices were often excluded from decision-making.
Through powerful storytelling and primary-source quotations, students explore Chisholm's groundbreaking achievements, her commitment to civil rights, public education, labor rights, child care, and social justice, and the meaning behind her iconic campaign slogan, "Unbought and Unbossed."
This resource includes:
- A video lesson on Shirley Chisholm's life and impact
- A middle school worksheet featuring comprehension questions, vocabulary, and reflection activities
- A high school worksheet featuring note-taking, primary-source analysis, critical thinking, and written reflection
- Opportunities for students to connect historical leadership to civic participation today
