Shirley

Shirley Chisholm is elected to represent Brooklyn in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Black woman to serve in Congress. She immediately faces a culture of belittling and resistance from colleagues who remind her that everyone earns the same salary. She also confronts a restrictive committee assignment that keeps her away from urban issues she represents.

Newly elected and outspoken, she informs the leadership that her urban district deserves a seat on relevant committees, not an agrarian panel. The pushback signals that she must decide whether to toe the line or push back against the status quo. The struggle foreshadows the determination that defines her early years in Congress.

During Christmas 1971, after voters raise double what she asked to certify her ballot, Shirley announces her candidacy for the 1972 Democratic nomination. She would become the first Black candidate to seek a major-party presidential nomination and the first woman to do so for the Democratic Party. Her decision sets in motion a nationwide campaign against entrenched congressional norms.

Shirley tracks down Robert Gottlieb, a Cornell student, to serve as national student coordinator as 18-year-olds gain the right to vote. Stanley Townsend is brought on as campaign manager to handle the growing operation. The team begins shaping a national platform and strategy.

As she campaigns to build momentum, time and money constrain where she can go, and she declines several states. After a disappointing showing in Florida, she reluctantly agrees to work with Walter Fauntroy who promises to pass his delegates and endorse her. The strategic compromises reveal the practical obstacles facing a groundbreaking campaign.

NBC, ABC and CBS exclude her from the national debates, curtailing her platform exposure. The campaign pushes back by turning to the legal route, with Robert Gottlieb intending to sue for her right to be heard. The stakes rise as visibility becomes central to credibility.

The New York Times plans a profile, prompting Shirley to seek support from her sister Muriel and their siblings. She learns that many in her family and neighborhood feel she’s received special treatment from their father and worry she is alienating them. Muriel refuses to speak to the press, adding personal strain to her public campaign.

At a campaign fundraiser, someone pockets most of the donations, undermining morale and prompting a public sense that the campaign is a joke. Stanley Townsend quits, and Shirley asks him to accompany her to the office, where she confronts him before firing him. Arthur Harwick Jr. remains vocal in supporting her during the upheaval.

Shirley explains the additional expenses needed to push the campaign through California and build leverage at the Democratic National Convention. After a tense discussion, Conrad Chisholm ultimately hands her the reigns to continue steering the bid. The moment marks a turning point in keeping the campaign alive.

Robert's lawsuit against the networks pays off, earning Shirley much-needed airtime to present her platform. A meeting with the Black Panthers yields their endorsement, though the California primary ultimately does not go to her. The campaign gains momentum but faces remaining obstacles.

As Shirley rubs shoulders with Black delegates, momentum grows to influence the Democratic Convention. Word arrives that Fauntroy has withdrawn, failing to pass his delegates to her as promised. Ron Dellums also withdraws his endorsement, signaling tough, cynical opposition to candidates who are not McGovern loyalists.

Facing narrowing paths to victory, she officially passes on the remaining delegates to George McGovern and releases a statement that her goal was to be a catalyst for change. The campaign ends its bid, but she continues to influence politics from Congress. The move reframes her legacy and future advocacy.

Though not elected president, Shirley remains in Congress for several terms, shaping legislation and inspiring others to seek public service. Her persistence helps widen opportunities for Black women in politics and civic engagement. The film closes with the enduring impact of her early challenges and leadership.