Parents' Guide to

Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm

By Diondra Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Spirited, inspiring biography of Black political pioneer.

Book Lesa Cline-Ransome Picture Book 2023
Loud and Proud book cover: An illustrated image of Shirley Chisholm holding a megaphone and speaking to a crowd of people at a rally, holding signs in support of her campaign

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

LOUD AND PROUD: THE LIFE OF CONGRESSWOMAN SHIRLEY CHISHOLM details how young Shirley Chisholm was a leader from the start. Raised in Brooklyn by hard working parents, Chisholm and her three sisters were known for being respectful and eager to learn. From a young age, Chisholm had an interest in activism, and she fought for equal rights for women and people of color on her college campus. As an adult, Chisholm went into politics, earned a seat on the New York State Assembly, and was eventually elected to the United States Congress. As the first Black congresswoman on Capitol Hill, Chisholm did not receive a friendly welcome. But that didn't stop her. When others tried to silence her voice or shut her out of important decisions, she created space for herself, earning a reputation for being proud and unstoppable. In 1972, with the slogan "Unbought and Unbossed," she launched her historic campaign for the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the United States of America. Although Chisholm didn't win, she earned hundreds of thousands of votes campaigning on a platform of equity and access. After seven terms in Congress, Shirley Chisholm resigned from her role in 1983 to make room for new female leaders.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say: Not yet rated

This book will leave readers with a deep appreciation for Shirley Chisholm's legacy and her remarkable contributions to the United States of America. Loud and Proud explains Chisholm's long political journey in a digestible way for young readers. Each page is filled with captivating illustrations that include diverse characters. It's impossible not to be inspired by Shirley Chisholm's story and recognize her lasting and positive impact on the political world. While progress has been made in many of the areas Chisholm devoted her life's work to, this book is an important reminder that we must all use our voices, loudly and proudly, to fight for change.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how in Loud and Proud, Chisholm was committed to creating positive change in her community and then throughout the country. She never gave up. What do you think helped her persevere and keep going?

  • What are three facts you learned about Shirley Chisholm after reading the book?

  • Chisholm paved the way for other women, specifically women of color, to serve as Congresswomen. Can you name any current Congresswomen? Where are they from? What causes are most important to them?

  • In 1972 Shirley Chisholm launched a historic presidential campaign. Would you ever want to be President of the United States? Why or why not?

Book Details

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