Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed

Dir. Shola Lynch. 2004, 76 mins. U.S. Digital projection. Just a few years after becoming the first black woman elected to the United States Congress, and more than a decade before the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton rose to the national stage, New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm sought to become the first African American to seek a major party’s presidential nomination. As recounted in Shola Lynch’s fascinating documentary, even though the political establishment shunned Chisholm, she persisted, seeing the presidential race as an opportunity to draw to politics people who traditionally did not participate. In her words, “I ran for the presidency, despite hopeless odds, to demonstrate sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo.”

Tickets: $17.50 / $12 senior and students / $10 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission.