USPS helps Shirley Chisholm leave her stamp on history
Preparing to ring in Black History Month the right way, the United States Postal Service (USPS) held a grand stamp unveiling ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Friday, January 31. The issuing of the stamp makes Chisholm the newest Black History honoree to be inducted into the USPS Black Heritage commemorative series.
At the late morning to midday ceremony, USPS Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman and Congressmembers Hakeem Jeffries, Yvette Clarke and Charles Rangel reflected on Chisholm’s impact, emphasizing her accomplishments and strength and how she was an inspiration for every female and Black person who has sought and obtained a position in Congress.
In 1968, Chisholm became the first black woman to serve in Congress. Four years later, in 1972, she was the first major-party black candidate to run for president and also the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Chisholm was also one of the founding members of the nonprofit organization that represents black members of Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus.