Using WordPress.com’s cool tag surfer, I was looking at some other
blogs that talk about the same things that I do. I ran across this post about NY Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm and it took me back to that day twenty-five years ago when I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Congresswoman Chisolm. (Click to enlarge)
Congresswoman Chisolm was the speaker for Convocation at ODU in January 1982 October 1981, and I attended the event as a recent soon-to-be grad. Before the event, I went into the VIP room where she was to meet with, well, the VIPs from the university, of which I certainly was not one 
I walked in as if I belonged and happened to be the first person to greet her as she emerged from a private room. Cameras flashed as I greeted her. She was then hustled on stage. Afterwards, I went back to the VIP room and participated as she was being interviewed by the media. It was so funny – they would ask a question and she would speak directly to me when she answered. The media left and I got to spend about 15 minutes or so with her. What I took away from that conversation was her frustration with the effect that the Moral Majority was having on Congress at that time.
I remember her saying that the MM had something on everybody and there was this sense of fear that permeated Washington. I also remember her saying that the MM had the attitude that they had finally reached a level of power (with the election of Reagan) that they had to use while they had it. They knew they had four years – and planned to push through as much of their agenda as possible. (We all know how that turned out!)
Her thoughts that day have stayed with me for a long time. In fact, when I met Congressman Jim Clyburn (who will be serving in the 110th Congress as Majority Whip) a couple of months ago, I reminded him of her words and said that the Ds have 2 years to push thru their agenda.
UPDATE: Tracked down and added photo to the post. Also, in the process, I discovered that it was October 1981, not January 1982. They say the mind is the second thing to go 
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I encountered her once, myself. It was the fall of 1985, when I was a college senior and traveling to Grand Rapids for a conference at the Ford Museum. I changed planes at O’Hare, and was walking between the terminals. As I did, I recognized this very petite, wizened black woman, and I guess those Hampden-Sydney traditions (greeting all whom we pass on campus) kicked in, and I said “Hello.” She responded, and it was only after I had walked another hundred or so feet that I stopped and realized that I had exchanged greetings with Shirley Chisholm.
Posted by James Young | Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 10:26 amNever met Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) but she was an inspiration to me. Her keen intellect and quick sense of humor came through on television, just fine. As I remember it, she stole the show at the 1972 Democratic convention that nominated George McGovern. Most of all, though, it was her dignified bearing that set her apart from so many others in politics.
Posted by F.T. Rea | Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 11:56 amI loved Shirley Chisholm…I never had the honor of meeting her…I agree with F.T. Dignified and inspirational!
Buzz…
Posted by mosquito | Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 1:50 pmI remember when she ran for President in 1972. She and Barbara Jordan were two very special people from that era.
Posted by Stephen Retherford | Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 2:07 pmWe can only hope that others will follow the beautiful example that she set for us.
Posted by Denise | Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 8:18 pmIn light of this electoral year, I HAD to get out my Shirley Chisolm DVD “Unbought and Unbossed”. Such a breath of fresh air. Why is it we are always fighting the same battles? Shirley Chisolm for President.
Posted by Connie LyonsWeinbaum | Saturday, October 4, 2008, 10:34 pm