Barbara Lee unveils stamp of mentor Shirley Chisholm

[alp227]

OAKLAND -- Rep. Barbara Lee was a young woman with a large afro and big ambitions when she first met Shirley Chisholm at Mills College in 1972. Chisholm, the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress, told students at Mills she was running for president.

Lee, D-Oakland, expressed interest in volunteering for the campaign. Chisholm told her, "Little girl, the first thing you have to do is register to vote. Then you have to get on the inside and help us."

So began a 33-year friendship, which Lee celebrated Saturday, the first day of Black History Month, when she helped unveil a commemorative postage stamp honoring Chisholm. The event drew a crowd of approximately 500 that packed Mills College's Rothwell Center. An overflow crowd of about 100 watched a televised feed from an adjoining patio.

Also on hand for the unveiling were House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Rep. Lynn Woolsey and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan.

full: http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_25042851/barbara-lee-unveils-stamp-mentor-shirley-chisholm

[handmade34]

1. one of my heroes...

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Chisholm said, “When I die, I want to be remembered as a woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be a catalyst of change. I don’t want to be remembered as the first black woman who went to Congress. And I don’t even want to be remembered as the first woman who happened to be black to make the bid for the presidency. I want to be remembered as a woman who fought for change in the 20th century. That’s what I want.”

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. k&r

[RainDog]

3. k&r n/t

[progressoid]

4. Cool!

[demigoddess]

5. one I have to buy!!

K&R