Shirley Chisholm takes her seat in the U.S. House, becoming the first Black woman to serve in Congress.
At a Glance
- Date
- 3 January 1969
- Location
- Washington, D.C.
- Key people
- Shirley Chisholm
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- Congressional records, 91st Congress (1969) · U.S. House History, Art & Archives
What It Meant Then
It opened the national legislature to Black women for the first time.
What It Means Now
Chisholm's career remains a benchmark for Black women in politics.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Shirley Chisholm Is Sworn Into Congress.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/shirley-chisholm-is-sworn-into-congress/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Shirley Chisholm Is Sworn Into Congress. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/shirley-chisholm-is-sworn-into-congress/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Shirley Chisholm Is Sworn Into Congress.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/shirley-chisholm-is-sworn-into-congress/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.