The first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress was Shirley Chisholm. She made history in 1968 when she won her election to represent New York's 12th congressional district. Chisholm was a trailblazer, advocating for social justice, civil rights, and education reform during her time in Congress. Throughout her political career, she faced significant challenges but remained committed to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. She famously declared, "If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair," which highlights her determination to ensure representation for those often overlooked in politics.