Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was an American politician, educator and author . She was a Congresswoman, representing New York's 12th District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. In 1968, she became the first African-American woman elected to Congress. On January 23, 1972, she became the first major party African-American candidate for President of the United States. She won 152 delegates., Other women who ran for President of the United States in 1972 include Linda Jenness and Evelyn Reed.