Shirley Chisholm comes to mind whenever I think of important women in African-American history. I never met Shirley Chisholm, but I know that she had a strong impact on my young life.I clearly remember seeing her on the evening tv news in the 1960s and 70s. She caught my attention because she reminded my of my grandmother.

To me, Shirley Chisholm not only looked like my grandmother, but she moved like my grandmother. My parents watched the national news on tv every night and I would stop what I was doing if Shirley appeared on the tv set. I didn't get to see my grandmother as often as I wanted, so seeing Shirley Chisholm made me feel like I was with my grandmother. All these years later, seeing the name of Shirley Chisholm conjures up that warm, family feeling of being with my grandmother.

The only difference I could see between Shirley Chisholm and my grandmother was that Shirley was African American and my grandmother was not. My grandmother was first generation American Irish. I became really focused on Shirley Chisholm. Listening to her speak on tv got me to thinking about the Women's Rights Movement and the Equal Rights Amendment.

I was riveted to the tv set when Shirley was on tv. She sounded so right on anything she talked about. As time went on, I listened to Shirley because she was so firm in what she believed in. I started seeing her more as an important leader in Washington than a look-alike of my grandmother.

Shirley Chisholm had a very distinctive voice, so I could always identify her right away on the tv or radio. The news could be droning on in the background, but I'd always pay attention when I heard that voice. My mother finally noticed my interest. Mom was passionate about Washington politics and knew every name in Congress. My mother was somewhat of a feminist, too. She told me that Shirley was an important Civil Rights leader and the first black woman elected to Congress. Of course, I knew that .

Mom went on to say that Shirley's grandmother had a big influence on Shirley when she was young. Mom told me about how Shirley Chisholm lived in New York City, but that her parents were very poor and decided to send her to live with her grandmother in the British West Indies. Mom said that Shirley's grandmother made sure Shirley got a good education in the British school system there in Barbados.

Shirley's grandmother often told Shirley to "always speak the truth." My mother explained that Shirley had a distinctive

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