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The Good Fight
The revered civil rights activist and pioneering member of Congress chronicles her groundbreaking 1972 run for President as the first woman and person of color--a work of immense historical importance that both captures and transcends its times, newly reissued to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of her campaign.
Before Kamala Harris, before Hillary Rodham Clinton there was Shirley Chisholm. In 1972, the Congresswoman from New York--the first Black woman elected to Congress--made history again when she announced her candidacy for President of the United States. Though she understood victory was a longshot, Chisholm chose to run because someone had to do it first. . . . I ran because most people think the country is not ready for a black candidate, not ready for a woman candidate.
In this invaluable political memoir, Chisholm reflects on her unique campaign and a nation at the crossroads of change. With the striking candor and straightforward style for which she was famous, Chisholm reveals the essential wheeling and dealing inherent to campaigning, castigates the innate conservatism and piety of the Black majority of the period, decries identity politics that lead to destructive power struggles within a fractious Democratic Party, and offers prescient advice on the direction of Black politics. From the whirlwind of the primaries to the final dramatic maneuvering at the tumultuous 1972 Democratic National Convention, The Good Fight is an invaluable portrait of twentieth-century politics and a Democratic Party in flux.
Most importantly, The Good Fight is the portrait of a reformer who dedicated her life to making politics work for all Americans. Chisholm saw her campaign as an extension of her political commitment; she ran as an idealist grounded in reality who used her opportunity and position to give voice to all the forgotten. This book bears the stamp of her remarkable personality and her commitment to speaking truth no matter the consequences.
Before Kamala Harris, before Hillary Rodham Clinton there was Shirley Chisholm. In 1972, the Congresswoman from New York--the first Black woman elected to Congress--made history again when she announced her candidacy for President of the United States. Though she understood victory was a longshot, Chisholm chose to run because someone had to do it first. . . . I ran because most people think the country is not ready for a black candidate, not ready for a woman candidate.
In this invaluable political memoir, Chisholm reflects on her unique campaign and a nation at the crossroads of change. With the striking candor and straightforward style for which she was famous, Chisholm reveals the essential wheeling and dealing inherent to campaigning, castigates the innate conservatism and piety of the Black majority of the period, decries identity politics that lead to destructive power struggles within a fractious Democratic Party, and offers prescient advice on the direction of Black politics. From the whirlwind of the primaries to the final dramatic maneuvering at the tumultuous 1972 Democratic National Convention, The Good Fight is an invaluable portrait of twentieth-century politics and a Democratic Party in flux.
Most importantly, The Good Fight is the portrait of a reformer who dedicated her life to making politics work for all Americans. Chisholm saw her campaign as an extension of her political commitment; she ran as an idealist grounded in reality who used her opportunity and position to give voice to all the forgotten. This book bears the stamp of her remarkable personality and her commitment to speaking truth no matter the consequences.
206 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
27 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Chisholm
14 books71 followersShirley Anita St. Hill was born in Brooklyn, New York, of immigrant parents. Her father, Charles Christopher St. Hill, was born in British Guiana and arrived in the United States via Antilla, Cuba, on April 10, 1923, aboard the S.S. Munamar in New York City. Her mother, Ruby Seale, was born in Christ Church, Barbados, and arrived in New York City aboard the S.S. Pocone on March 8, 1921. At age three, Chisholm was sent to Barbados to live with her maternal grandmother, Emaline Seale, in Christ Church; where she attended the Vauxhall Primary School. She did not return until roughly seven years later when she arrived in New York City on May 19, 1934, aboard the S.S. Narissa. In her 1970 autobiography Unbought and Unbossed, she wrote: "Years later I would know what an important gift my parents had given me by seeing to it that I had my early education in the strict, traditional, British-style schools of Barbados. If I speak and write easily now, that early education is the main reason."
Chisholm is an alumna of Girls' High School, she earned her BA from Brooklyn College in 1946 and later earned her MA from Columbia University in elementary education in 1952. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
From 1953 to 1959, she was director of the Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center. From 1959 to 1964, she was an educational consultant for the Division of Day Care.
In 1964, Chisholm ran for and was elected to the New York State Legislature. In 1968, she ran as the Democratic candidate for New York's 12th District congressional seat and was elected to the House of Representatives. Defeating Republican candidate James Farmer, Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress. Chisholm joined the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 as one of its founding members.
As a freshman, Chisholm was assigned to the House Agricultural Committee. Given her urban district, she felt the placement was irrelevant to her constituents and shocked many by asking for reassignment. She was then placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Soon after, she voted for Hale Boggs as House Majority Leader over John Conyers. As a reward for her support, Boggs assigned her to the much-prized Education and Labor Committee, which was her preferred committee. She was the third highest-ranking member of this committee when she retired from Congress.
All those Chisholm hired for her office were women, half of them black. Chisholm said that during her New York legislative career, she had faced much more discrimination because she was a woman than because she was black.
In the 1972 U.S. presidential election, she made a bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. She survived three assassination attempts during the campaign. She campaigned in 12 states and won the Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey primaries earning 152 delegates. However, she lost the hotly contested primaries to George McGovern at the convention in Miami Beach, Florida. At the 1972 Democratic National Convention, as a symbolic gesture, McGovern opponent Hubert H. Humphrey released his black delegates to Chisholm,giving her a total of 152 first-ballot votes for the nomination. Chisholm's base of support was ethnically diverse and included the National Organization for Women. Chisholm said she ran for the office "in spite of hopeless odds... to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo." Among the volunteers who were inspired by her campaign was Barbara Lee, who continued to be politically active and was elected as a congresswoman 25 years later. Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem attempted to run as Chisholm delegates in New York.
Chisholm created controversy when she visited rival and ideological opposite George Wallace in the hospital soon after his shooting in May 1972, during the 1972 presidential primary campaign. Several years later, when Chisholm worked on a bill to give domestic workers the right to a minimum wage, Wallac
Chisholm is an alumna of Girls' High School, she earned her BA from Brooklyn College in 1946 and later earned her MA from Columbia University in elementary education in 1952. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
From 1953 to 1959, she was director of the Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center. From 1959 to 1964, she was an educational consultant for the Division of Day Care.
In 1964, Chisholm ran for and was elected to the New York State Legislature. In 1968, she ran as the Democratic candidate for New York's 12th District congressional seat and was elected to the House of Representatives. Defeating Republican candidate James Farmer, Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress. Chisholm joined the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 as one of its founding members.
As a freshman, Chisholm was assigned to the House Agricultural Committee. Given her urban district, she felt the placement was irrelevant to her constituents and shocked many by asking for reassignment. She was then placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. Soon after, she voted for Hale Boggs as House Majority Leader over John Conyers. As a reward for her support, Boggs assigned her to the much-prized Education and Labor Committee, which was her preferred committee. She was the third highest-ranking member of this committee when she retired from Congress.
All those Chisholm hired for her office were women, half of them black. Chisholm said that during her New York legislative career, she had faced much more discrimination because she was a woman than because she was black.
In the 1972 U.S. presidential election, she made a bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. She survived three assassination attempts during the campaign. She campaigned in 12 states and won the Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey primaries earning 152 delegates. However, she lost the hotly contested primaries to George McGovern at the convention in Miami Beach, Florida. At the 1972 Democratic National Convention, as a symbolic gesture, McGovern opponent Hubert H. Humphrey released his black delegates to Chisholm,giving her a total of 152 first-ballot votes for the nomination. Chisholm's base of support was ethnically diverse and included the National Organization for Women. Chisholm said she ran for the office "in spite of hopeless odds... to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo." Among the volunteers who were inspired by her campaign was Barbara Lee, who continued to be politically active and was elected as a congresswoman 25 years later. Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem attempted to run as Chisholm delegates in New York.
Chisholm created controversy when she visited rival and ideological opposite George Wallace in the hospital soon after his shooting in May 1972, during the 1972 presidential primary campaign. Several years later, when Chisholm worked on a bill to give domestic workers the right to a minimum wage, Wallac
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 6, 2007
A refreshingly candid appraisal of Chisholm's 1972 presidential bid. Chisholm has a lot to say about the shortcomings of her own campaign and about the American political landscape more generally. Thirty five years later, we're still trying to learn the lessons she was trying to teach us.
July 28, 2014
Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm's account of her 1972 campaign for President. Her earlier memoir "Unbought and Unbossed" covered a lot of the same material about her political beliefs; this one is an insider's look at a bygone political process, with deft and often funny stories from the campaign trail. Chisolm probably wrote it to cover the huge personal debt that the she racked up by running the campaign, but that doesn't make it any less interesting.
October 23, 2024
5 stars Like Unbought and Unbossed, which I also read recently, this book inspires both respect of Chisholm’s vision and wisdom as well as frustration, because so little of our political and social dynamics have changed since the book was written in the 1970s. I recommend this accessible and relevant book, and I hope we will soon see our first female President from the path Chisholm paved.
November 19, 2024
Extremely topical. How little has changed in 50 years.
November 15, 2022
Shirley Chisholm tells of her groundbreaking run for President of the United States. She points out the male chauvinism present in politics and the resistance of both the blacks and the whites. At the end she has printed her position papers on important concepts that still resonates today.
May 14, 2024
I don't generally gravitate toward memoirs by politicians, past or present (especially present!!) because rarely do I find them to be genuine and forthcoming. Politicians are typically narcissistic and not usually the best writers (a team does that for them!). I read Unbought & Unbossed by Chisholm already this year, and that book ended right before she threw her hat into the ring of the 1972 Presidential election. This book picks up right where that left off and carries the reader through the Nixon re-election.
Shirley Chisholm was a warrior. She was fierce, unapologetic, and strong. A trailblazer for women, a trailblazer for Black people, she devoted herself to the possibility of positive social revolution. She aimed to be a catalyst for political change and showed the country that Yes, Black women can be leaders! She also went into the 1972 election believing she did not have any chance of winning. She knew she didn't have the money or people in high places to bolster her chances of defeating other party nominees. Her campaign was run solely on volunteers. Yet, she was driven and knew she needed to show the people what representation actually looks like and how power can be used to build stronger communities. She did not play the same political game as her peers, which set her apart then, and continues to set her apart to this day. Chisholm's stance on the issues of the time puts her on the right side of history in fighting for justice in Palestine, ending the conflict in Vietnam, and supporting families and mothers at home. If you want to learn more about great women in US History, you should really carve out some space for Shirley Chisholm!
Shirley Chisholm was a warrior. She was fierce, unapologetic, and strong. A trailblazer for women, a trailblazer for Black people, she devoted herself to the possibility of positive social revolution. She aimed to be a catalyst for political change and showed the country that Yes, Black women can be leaders! She also went into the 1972 election believing she did not have any chance of winning. She knew she didn't have the money or people in high places to bolster her chances of defeating other party nominees. Her campaign was run solely on volunteers. Yet, she was driven and knew she needed to show the people what representation actually looks like and how power can be used to build stronger communities. She did not play the same political game as her peers, which set her apart then, and continues to set her apart to this day. Chisholm's stance on the issues of the time puts her on the right side of history in fighting for justice in Palestine, ending the conflict in Vietnam, and supporting families and mothers at home. If you want to learn more about great women in US History, you should really carve out some space for Shirley Chisholm!
April 10, 2024
"I ran because someone had to do it first."
I came to this one via the recent (so-so) Netflix docudrama, 'Shirley' (2024), which looks at Chisholm's historic 1972 presidential run. Chisholm's 'The Good Fight', her 1973 recap of the 1972 Democratic primary race, is anything but so-so. She holds nothing back in her critique of the Democratic party establishment, men in general (both Black & white), and the misogyny she had to endure as the first American Black woman to run for such a high office. Her stands on policy issues, for better or worse, still sound shockingly contemporary over half a century later.
Interestingly, I read (listened, actually) to this one immediately following listening to Elizabeth Warren's 'Persist' (2021), which covers similar terrain of HER 2020 Democratic presidential run. The main difference between the two recaps is that while Chisholm knew that she never had a chance, she nevertheless persisted in her pursuit, electrifying a wide range of coalitions along the way. Warren, on the other hand, thought she might actually have a shot, but ultimately also dropped out. Both accounts effectively demonstrate the small steps we have moved forward in 50 years, while sadly showing how much farther we have to go in order to establish a government that actually works to improve the lives of ALL Americans, and not just the privileged few.
Essential.
I came to this one via the recent (so-so) Netflix docudrama, 'Shirley' (2024), which looks at Chisholm's historic 1972 presidential run. Chisholm's 'The Good Fight', her 1973 recap of the 1972 Democratic primary race, is anything but so-so. She holds nothing back in her critique of the Democratic party establishment, men in general (both Black & white), and the misogyny she had to endure as the first American Black woman to run for such a high office. Her stands on policy issues, for better or worse, still sound shockingly contemporary over half a century later.
Interestingly, I read (listened, actually) to this one immediately following listening to Elizabeth Warren's 'Persist' (2021), which covers similar terrain of HER 2020 Democratic presidential run. The main difference between the two recaps is that while Chisholm knew that she never had a chance, she nevertheless persisted in her pursuit, electrifying a wide range of coalitions along the way. Warren, on the other hand, thought she might actually have a shot, but ultimately also dropped out. Both accounts effectively demonstrate the small steps we have moved forward in 50 years, while sadly showing how much farther we have to go in order to establish a government that actually works to improve the lives of ALL Americans, and not just the privileged few.
Essential.
February 15, 2023
Chisholm dissects her failed presidential campaign. It was interesting to see how little has changed in fifty years. Instead of going for candidates with new ideas and a passion for good, we go for safe candidates who have the (supposed) best chance of winning. In my thirty years of voting, there's been a whopping two times when I've been truly enthusiastic about a candidate on the November ballot. Chisholm knew she had no chance of winning, but I appreciate her trying to influence a bad system.
One thing I found interesting was about the expense of healthcare and how Medicare and Medicaid helped drive up prices. I'm in favor of socialized medicine, but our healthcare for profit system is broken. People used to see a doctor when they needed to. With the promise of government funds, healthcare providers push for a lot more involvement whether it's needed or not.
One thing I found interesting was about the expense of healthcare and how Medicare and Medicaid helped drive up prices. I'm in favor of socialized medicine, but our healthcare for profit system is broken. People used to see a doctor when they needed to. With the promise of government funds, healthcare providers push for a lot more involvement whether it's needed or not.
May 29, 2024
Shirley Chisholm published The Good Fight in February 1973 amid the optimism of Roe v Wade being decided (7-2) in January 1973 and the pessimism of Nixon’s reelection (49 out of 50 states) in November 1972. Shirley Chisholm, a Black woman, sought the Democratic nomination for president to unite Blacks, women, youth, and other minorities. They lost to the “arrogant white intellectuals” who “were convinced that they knew what minorities, women and other groups needed. Why bring them in?” Fifty years later, little has changed except that Roe v Wade has been overturned.
For my extended notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2024/...
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For my extended notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2024/...
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Check out https://amzn.to/3vfHVqc to see my books.
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20... for book recommendations.
July 22, 2024
What fortuitous timing that I finished Shirley Chisholm's memoir about her 1972 candidacy for President of the United States on the same day that Kamala Harris was thrust into the position of being the first black woman to lead a major party into an election after President Joe Biden heroically and graciously bowed out of the race and endorsed his VP. A black woman, Chisholm knew her chances were slim and none. But she hadn't been elected a Senator by doing what people told her and she ran with every intention of sticking to her principles and making the best effort to represent the people. If nothing else, Chisholm hoped she was lay the ground work for future women and Black candidates: She did. But why don't more of us know Chisholm's story? I didn't. Now I do and I will spread the word - and never forget what she did.
September 16, 2024
A telling reminder of the struggle for acknowledgement and legitimacy of female candidates and candidates of color. I remember Shirley Chisholm’s campaign well. Bold and courageous! With a platform that still resonates today: giving voice to the voiceless, finding a solution to conflict in the Middle East based on humanitarian needs—without taking sides! Kamala Harris is quoted on the cover acknowledging how Chisholm “created a path” for her and so many others. Would we have elected Barack Obama president if not for Shirley Chisholm? Would we have accepted Hilary Clinton as a major presidential candidate? I think not! A great book for our current times. And watch the Netflix biopic, Shirley, which covers much of this same terrain as well.
May 27, 2019
Written in 1973 by Presidential Candidate Shirley Chisholm, her words echo the political atmosphere of today. She is the candidate we deserve today, and every American should know her. Although she passed away in 2005, she has left us lessons in her work, in the example she set. She knew she would not win, but she still tried to beat the odds. She knew her campaign would be remarkable in its existence, even though her chances were slim. To fight for the American people, all of us, despite knowing you will likely lose, is true Patriotism. A modern candidate has yet to move me the way Shirley Chisholm does in this book.
January 25, 2023
The arguments she presented in 1972 are relevant and pertinent today. She spoke of issues like overaggressive policing, economic reform, and shadowy campaign funding in such a fluent and knowledgeable manner, I often checked to make sure the speeches were performed in the 1970s. It was amazing and sad. Sad that today we are dealing with issues that were identified more than 50 years ago. This book was so inspiring that I frantically looked for additional books by Ms. Chisholm. She is such a proud, unapologetic woman who was well ahead of her time.
June 30, 2024
This book was published in 1973 but Shirley Chisholm’s critique of the Democratic establishment could not possibly be more relevant to the current political moment. She is willing to critique her own campaign, compliment her opponents, and indict everyone who plays political games with real people’s lived experiences. A fabulous read for anyone who is looking to learn from our past failures as a country and as a political party. White liberals are a problem because we are bad listeners, bad observers, and bad peacemakers. White liberalism hurts the country and the people who uphold it.
November 6, 2025
This book was well written. Many politicians were mentioned, and I had no idea who they were. Some of them I have heard of, but I was unaware of their voting record or even their political party affiliation. There was not much information available about Mrs. Chisholm's life, except for her decision to run and her campaigning efforts. I would have wished for more details about her life, but the book seemed to focus more on her political career. I recommend that people read her other book, Unbought and Unbossed, first.
October 26, 2024
Shirley was very clearly still raw when she wrote this, which is what she acknowledges she wanted in the Forward. As I was reading I kept coming back to “the more things change, the more they stay the same” - while campaigning & primaries have changed so much, so many of the issues are the same, 52 years later. Her thoughts on racism & sexism & even racism vs sexism were so interesting. The position papers in the Appendix could’ve been written today.
September 24, 2024
UH OH this book tells us too many things that remind me way too much of the 2024 election. you should definitely read it, but do so at your peril because things did NOT go well in 1972, as you may know.
March 13, 2025
I, admittedly, knew very little about shirley chisholm and had no idea she’d run in the democratic primary. getting to see her logic why and what the political landscape was like in the 60s and 70s was really interesting
February 17, 2023
Good history on 72 and the Democratic Party
December 12, 2023
The narrator ruind this story for me. She was horrible
March 19, 2024
This book was written in 1973 and it's shocking how little things have changed since. It was quite frankly startling that this wasn't written in 2024.
December 23, 2024
A must read that rhymes with our current political moment.
Read
February 16, 2023I'm not rating it because it is a memoir, but damn, it is DEPRESSING to read that Shirley Chisholm is speaking about things in this 50-year-old book that are still issues today (campaign finance, environmental issues, racial issues, etc.) Well worth the read for the historical context of her campaign.
March 5, 2024
I had heard of Shirley Chisholm, but not enough. I am now completely enamored by this woman. After she was the first woman to run for President of the United States, she wrote this memoir to explain why she did and explain what was needed in America. It blows my mind that this was written in the 1970s and how much is still applicable today. I quickly went out and bout another of her books when I finished listening to this.
September 9, 2025
A brilliant memoir. Shirley Chisholm's sharp analysis, wit, and candor illustrate a story that is as electrifying as it is groundbreaking to read.
Chislom expertly weaves the history and politics of 1970s America with her own story in "The Good Fight." Because of her analysis, I was able to draw connections between 3 political similarities of the 1970s and the 2020s:
1) The atrocities of the Vietnam War/The current genocide in Palestine. A war backed by the American government and funded by American tax dollars, which many American citizens oppose and protest against. This causes deep social divisions within the nation (and world) in the 1970s and 2020s.
2) Nixon's cuts to social welfare/Trump's federal funding cuts
3) A Democratic Party that is falling apart at the seams due to its expectation (yet unsubstantial commitment to the actual needs) of minority and youth voter turnout
I found this comparison of the two decades fascinating and, honestly, somewhat eerie in their similarities. 50 years apart, and it's like looking into a mirror. I'd like to do further research into the 1970s, which remains a weaker spot in my historical knowledge.
Chislom expertly weaves the history and politics of 1970s America with her own story in "The Good Fight." Because of her analysis, I was able to draw connections between 3 political similarities of the 1970s and the 2020s:
1) The atrocities of the Vietnam War/The current genocide in Palestine. A war backed by the American government and funded by American tax dollars, which many American citizens oppose and protest against. This causes deep social divisions within the nation (and world) in the 1970s and 2020s.
2) Nixon's cuts to social welfare/Trump's federal funding cuts
3) A Democratic Party that is falling apart at the seams due to its expectation (yet unsubstantial commitment to the actual needs) of minority and youth voter turnout
I found this comparison of the two decades fascinating and, honestly, somewhat eerie in their similarities. 50 years apart, and it's like looking into a mirror. I'd like to do further research into the 1970s, which remains a weaker spot in my historical knowledge.
September 7, 2021
I picked this up after seeing the documentary Chisolm '72: Unbought and Unbossed. I thought it would be either a continuation of her life as a politician or a memoir of how she got there. Instead it is her version of the presidential race of 1972, just like the documentary but with more names, commentary, disasters, and political anecdotes.
I liked it. I like her. It did rehash what I did not entirely want to rehash (her presidential campaign) but it was feisty and realistic. She was open about how lack of funds hobbles a campaign and how dependence on volunteers can lead to infighting while they battle to see their own vision integrated. It was an interesting look at the times. I only wish I knew who more of the names were! Hopefully some day I'll get around to her memoir (Unbought and Unbossed) and learn more about this fascinating woman.
I liked it. I like her. It did rehash what I did not entirely want to rehash (her presidential campaign) but it was feisty and realistic. She was open about how lack of funds hobbles a campaign and how dependence on volunteers can lead to infighting while they battle to see their own vision integrated. It was an interesting look at the times. I only wish I knew who more of the names were! Hopefully some day I'll get around to her memoir (Unbought and Unbossed) and learn more about this fascinating woman.
December 25, 2024
This was a good and quick read. The Congresswoman covered the importance of coalition building, disappointment in white moderates who talk more than that act, the pitfalls of all or nothing activism that new activists often fall into, racial and gender equality, and reasoned critique of the Democratic party. She also spoke way ahead of her time about the bad possibility of one party minority rule by the GOP. She would be disappointed in us, I think.
There is obviously some dated information about politics and a lot of party and daily details about her process of running in the 1970s, but that's to be expected.
There is obviously some dated information about politics and a lot of party and daily details about her process of running in the 1970s, but that's to be expected.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews