Chisholm ’72
2004, 77 minutes
United States
Language: English
Presented by: Films Fatales
Director: Shola Lynch
The Parkway is proud to partner with Film Fatales’ Baltimore chapter for a special President’s Day screening of Shola Lynch’s inspirational documentary about the pioneering 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. Congress!
Recalling a watershed event in US politics, this compelling documentary takes an in-depth look at the 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek nomination for the highest office in the land. Following Chisholm from her own announcement of her candidacy through her historic speech in Miami at the Democratic National Convention, the story is a fight for inclusion. Shunned by the political establishment and the media, this longtime champion of marginalized Americans asked for support from people of color, women, gays, and young people newly empowered to vote at the age of 18. Chisholm’s bid for an equal place on the presidential dais generated strong, even racist opposition. Yet her challenge to the status quo and her message about exercising the right to vote struck many as progressive and positive. Period footage and music, interviews with supporters, opponents, observers, and Chisholm’s own commentary all illuminate her groundbreaking initiative, as well as political and social currents still very much alive today.
ABOUT FILM FATALES: Film Fatales is a diverse community of women filmmakers who meet regularly to mentor each other, share resources, collaborate on projects and build a supportive environment in which to make their films.
Co-hosted by Film Fatales, Black Girls Vote, and Baltimore Ceasefire 365
Nykidra Robinson is the CEO & Founder of Black Girls Vote (BGV), a Baltimore-based non-partisan organization that represents the concerns, interests and empowerment of Black women while taking action for policy at the voting polls. http://www.blackgirlsvote.com/
Erricka Bridgeford is one of the organizers of Baltimore Ceasefire 365, a grassroots campaign against gun violence with the slogan “Nobody kill anybody.” In 2017 Bridgeford was the Baltimore Sun’s Marylander of The Year for her efforts to curb violence in Baltimore. https://baltimoreceasefire.
Letrice Gant is Director at The Evolution of Perspective and a co-founder of Baltimore Cease Fire 365.