New Democratic leadership honors Chisholm

Iowa Public Radio is a mainstay for me, not only for local and national news, but for the international programs they transmit from the Canadian and British Broadcasting Services. Sometimes those programs inform me of things that I don’t learn about on the national news or in my newspapers.

The Canadian program “As It Happens” included a an excerpt from the speech given by the new Democratic leader in the House, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, that had not included in the U.S. coverage. Jeffries acknowledged a debt to his congressional predecessor, Shirley Chisholm

There’s an adage that if you remember the 60s, you weren't there. Well, there’s some truth to such adages, but seldom full truth.

I remember Shirley Chisholm. She was inspirational — the first Black female representative in the U.S. House. The second woman to run for President in a major party.

Her slogan in both campaigns was “Never bought, Never sold”

In the early 70s women’s liberation became more focused on career advancement and social issues and ended up renaming themselves as Feminists (now called Second Wave).

Shirley Chisholm remained a political activist and a strong proponent of the Equal Rights Amendment. She successfully resisted efforts to include biological exceptions in the amendment. If the ERA had been fully ratified the current abortion debated would have been very, very different.

I am gratified that the upcoming minority leader acknowledged his predecessor, and regretful that more Americans aren’t aware of it.

Bu Wilson

Iowa City

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