1969 — Shirley Chisholm Visits Africa as U.S. Congresswoman

On May 24, 1969, Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, concluded her historic goodwill visit to several African nations, including Ghana and Nigeria. Her diplomatic outreach symbolized a new era of Black internationalism, bridging African American political power with African post-colonial statehood. Chisholm’s visit was not just ceremonial—it emphasized solidarity, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. She met with African leaders to discuss education, trade, and women’s empowerment, affirming the transatlantic connection between Black struggles for justice. May 24 marks an important date where Pan-African diplomacy met legislative representation, led by a fearless Black woman. Chisholm’s mission helped lay the groundwork for future Afro-diasporic collaborations in politics, business, and education. This visit redefined what it meant to be a Black stateswoman on the global stage, inspiring generations of Black leaders to think globally and act locally.