Shirley Chisholm Commemoration Showcasing Her Influence on the Political Landscape

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - April 2, 2016 - PRLog -- Assemblymember Annette M. Robinson, 56^th Assembly District covering Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights and Mr. William Howard, President of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, Inc. will host an event to commemorate the life of the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm on Thursday April 7, 2016 at 6:00 pm.  Assemblymember Robinson and Mr. Howard have collaborated on this effort to showcase the myriad of accomplishments the late Shirley Chisholm achieved and her influence on the political landscape of not only Brooklyn, but the nation as a whole.

"The Honorable Shirley Chisholm was my shero", Assemblymember Robinson notes.   "She was an inspiration to me as I pursued my political career.  She was exemplary in her passion to create legislations that would benefit so many.  I have modeled my career from the tenacity that Congresswoman Chisholm exhibited.  I personally feel that her seeking the nomination for President of the United States paved the way for President Barack Obama's ascendency to the Presidency"

"Chisholm continued to be a Catalyst of Change throughout her life.  She even turned the tides, serving as a driving force of Title IX of the Education Amendment Act, breaking down barriers in sports for women and girls", said William Howard, President of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

She was a life-long activist graduating with a Bachelors Degree from Brooklyn College and a Master's Degree from Columbia University.  Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American elected to Congress when she won the seat in 1968 representing the Central Brooklyn community.   She was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus.  In 1972, she again made history by seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States - the first African-American to do so.  In 2015, President Obama bestowed the prestigious Presidential Medal of Honor posthumously to Shirley Chisholm.  Mr. William Howard, a long time staff member of the late Congresswoman, accepted on behalf of the Chisholm Family.

The commemorative event will be held at Medgar Evers College, 1650 Bedford Avenue in the Founder's Auditorium.  Scheduled to attend are Dr. Rudy Crew, President of the College, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Public Advocate Leticia James, and various State and City Legislators.