Is the movie “Shirley” based on a true story? The influential legacy of Shirley Chisholm

Inspiring CV Shirley It's now streaming on Netflix. When you watch it, you might wonder if… Shirley Based on a true story. Read on to learn about Shirley Chisholm's pioneering career and long-lasting impact on African American politics.

Shirley Academy Award-winning actress Regina King plays Shirley Chisholm, the first black congresswoman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the first black female candidate to seek a major party nomination in 1972. The film follows Chisholm's historic presidential career as she overcomes obstacles, including… That includes racism. And misogyny.

The film also explores Shirley's relationship with pro-segregation Alabama Governor George Wallace, her association with the Black Panther Party, and tensions with her sister Muriel St. Hill, played by Regina's real-life sister, Rena King.

“One thing I realized: Regina and I had never played in anything together,” said Rinna, who co-produced the film with her sister. NBC News. “While this project is important to both of us, it was special for us to come together and work as actresses.” The late Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Michael Cherry, Andre Holland, Terrence Howard, and other stars as well.

The Kings said they chose to tell Shirley's story because she was missing from the history books, and most people were not aware of who she was or her pioneering accomplishments in history.

“We chose Shirley because we realized there were a lot of people who didn't even know her name. We felt it was important for people to not only know her name, but why she was important, relevant and inspiring,” Regina said. Entertainment Weekly.

Rina expressed similar sentiments to NetflixTodom. “I learned about Malcolm “Why aren't the students told that? When I would mention Shirley's name, no one seemed to know who she was, and… [that] Light the fire under us more. We used to say: “The world must know, the country must know, the women must know, the people must know, the children must know.”

More from ForbesRegina King on Netflix's 'Shirley': 'I hope we can be inspired'by Jeff Conway

He is Shirley On Netflix based on a true story?

Yes, Shirley Based on the true life story of Shirley Chisholm. Before her political career, Chisholm studied early childhood education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and taught preschool before supervising 10 daycare centers in New York City.

After joining local Democratic clubs, Chisholm won a New York State Assembly seat in 1964, according to Time magazine. Four years later, in 1968, she became the first black woman elected to the United States Congress without the support of the party leadership. She represented New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983.

Throughout her 14-year tenure in Congress, Chisholm played a pivotal role in increasing social services, expanding the food stamp program, and helping to establish the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). She also chaired the conference committee on the child welfare universalization bill, but Nixon vetoed it.

Why did Shirley Chisholm run for president?

Shirley made history once again when she joined the US presidential race. She officially announced her candidacy for president on January 25, 1972, at a Baptist church in Brooklyn.

“My presence before you now symbolizes a new era in American political history,” she declared. Announcement letter. “I am not the candidate of black America, even though I am black and proud. “I am not the candidate of the feminist movement in this country, even though I am a woman, and I am proud of that too.”

Author and professor Glenn L. Starks, Ph.D., who co-wrote it A Seat at the Table: The Life and Times of Shirley Chisholm.,” Tell USA Today That Shirley was “tired of all the disenfranchised voices that don't have a say in politics” at the time of her nomination.

“All her life in Brooklyn, where she ran for the New York Assembly, and her whole life in Congress, she always ran as the underdog who came out and supported women's rights, gay rights, and poor people,” Starks explained. She supported people whose voices were not heard. I'm tired of people getting votes from the black community, but it never does anything for them. “Since she got involved in politics in college, she really became who she was.”

Although Chisholm did not have enough delegates at the Democratic National Convention (she lost the nomination to George McGovern, who lost the general election to Republican nominee and then-President Richard Nixon), she became an influential figure for black women in politics.

Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black, and first Asian American vice president, credited Chisholm with paving the way for her career. “We stand on Shirley Chisholm's shoulders, and Shirley Chisholm stood proud,” Harris said in a speech, according to what she reported. CBS News.

What happened to Shirley Chisholm?

Shirley Chisholm retired from Congress in 1983. She took up a teaching position at Mount Holyoke in 1983, and for five years was a professor in the departments of sociology and anthropology and taught Congress as a Complex Organization, the Social Roles of Women, and Urban Sociology. And black women in America, according to… Mount Holyoke Alumni Association.

Although she was nominated for an ambassadorial position in 1993, she withdrew due to health concerns. Shirley Chisholm died on January 1, 2005, at the age of 80. (Ormond Beach, Florida). Eleven years later, Chisholm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Regina said that most of the research for the film was through Shirley's books, “Unbought and uncontrolled” And “The good fight” Plus documentaries, news footage, articles and “whatever we can pull to put us in the place that tells us who Shirley is, and what's important to tell about her story,” she said. Todom.

The actress also revealed that the group received a special visit from US actress Barbara Lee (D-CA), who is portrayed by Christina Jackson in the film.

“Having Barbara Lee come visit the set definitely felt like she was giving us Shirley’s blessing in so many ways,” Regina said. “Barbara represents how someone can come into your life and not only inspire you, but put a light bulb in your head to teach you, ‘Oh, this is what I'm supposed to do.’ There's something inside of me that has to make room beyond just this moment. Shirley ignited that Barbara shot in by example.

Shirley It's now streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer for Shirley less.