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Shirley Chisolm Gets Statue In NYC + Viola Davis To Play Her

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America’s first black woman ever elected to the United States Congress and the first woman and person of color to seek the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, has received a great honor from her city of New York.

Just in time for the trailblazing Congresswoman’s 94th birthday and during the 50th anniversary of her election to Congress, New York City is honoring the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm. She represented New York’s 12th District in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983, and sought the presidential nomination in 1972. Chisholm died in 2005 at age 80.

The daughter of Guyanese and Barbadian parents, who was not just a politician but educator, activist, author and mentor; will have a statue erected in her honor, in Brooklyn’s beloved Prospect Park.

The first lady of New York, Chirlane McCray (also of Caribbean heritage), said the monument is a long-overdue recognition for the iconic politician who was the first Black woman to seek a presidential nomination from a major party. The statue will be commissioned under the auspices of First Lady Chirlane’s She Built NYC.

According to NYT: This is the first statue to be built by She Built NYC, a city effort to expand representation of women in public art and monuments. Ms. Chisholm’s statue may cost up to $1 million. Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen said the city plans to select an artist — “who we hope and expect to be a woman” — in March.

MEANWHILE….

News has surfaced that Oscar winning actress Viola Davis will play the legendary groundbreaking politician in a new movie. Amazon Studios has confirmed that Davis has signed on to star in and produce the project about Chisholm.

Maggie Betts will direct Davis in “The Fighting Shirley Chisholm” off of a screenplay from “Silicon Valley” writer Adam Countee.

UNBOUGHT AND UNBOSSED!

Last modified: December 3, 2018