Virtual Cinema Spotlight: Shirley Chisholm’s Historic Presidential Run August 12, 2020
In honor of this year’s centennial anniversary of women’s right to vote, Virtual Cinema presents Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed. This compelling documentary spotlights Shirley Chisholm’s passionate presidential run in 1972.
Chisholm was the nation’s first Black congresswoman, and the film brings her tenacity to life through candid interviews with supporters, opponents, observers, and Chisholm herself. Period footage illuminates her commanding presence among women, college students, and minorities. Directed by Shola Lynch, Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed is part of the film series accompanying the exhibition Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power.
“I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country, although I am a woman, and I am equally proud of that. I am the candidate of the people of America.” —Shirley Chisholm
“Unbought and Unbossed”
Shirley Anita Chisholm (1924–2005) was a barrier-breaking politician from Brooklyn, New York. Born to immigrant parents, Chisholm started fighting for racial and gender equality at a young age. She made history in 1964 as the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress, where she fought to tackle the issues that plagued her district. Four years later, at the height of the Vietnam War and emergence of the women’s movement, Chisholm made her historic bid for America’s highest office—the first Black woman to seek a major party nomination for presidency, under the spirited campaign “Unbought and Unbossed.”
► Watch the Film
Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed
Your purchase ($4.99) supports the MFAH and provides a 3-day pass to the film.
► Join the Discussion
On September 24, tune in at 6:30 p.m. for the rescheduled Facebook Live discussion with Chisholm ’72 director Shola Lynch; MFAH curator Marian Luntz; Houston Public Library’s Rhea Brown Lawson; University of Houston’s Elizabeth Gregory; and Houston Cinema Arts Society’s Jessica Green. The panel discusses the film, its connection to the exhibition Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power, the centennial of women’s suffrage, and Shirley Chisholm’s landmark contributions for women in politics.
Underwriting for the Film Department is provided by Tenaris and the Vaughn Foundation. Generous funding is provided by The Consulate General of Israel Houston; Nina and Michael Zilkha; Franci Neely; Carrin Patman and Jim Derrick; Mr. and Mrs. H. Bruce Sallee; Lynn S. Wyatt; ILEX Foundation; Consolato Generale D’Italia Houston; L’Alliance Française de Houston; and The Foundation for Independent Media Arts.
