Shirley Chisholm, notable American politician and educator, passed away on January 1, 2005. She was 80 years old. Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the first African-American woman to be elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th Congressional District from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, Chisholm was the first major-party African-American candidate for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Throughout her career, Chisholm was vocal about supporting education. She sought to increase funding for schools, as well as bring reform and combat hunger in the United States. Chisholm was a member of numerous organizations, including the National Organization of Women, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Democratic National Committee, and the Organization of African-American Women. Chisholm was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, in recognition of her life's contributions. She is survived by her two daughters; son; extended family; and many friends and admirers.