New York DNC delegates speak out about 2 historic moments in politics
BROOKLYN (WABC) -- Dr. Una Clarke has very fond memories of her lifelong friend Shirley Chisholm - the first Black woman to seek the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1972.
52 years later, one hundred thousand balloons dropped from the ceiling at the DNC for the first Black woman to accept the Democratic nomination for president.
"I thought about her last night and recognized that her bravery, as I call her, I said 'Shirley, you're the brave one," said Dr. Clarke.
This moment in history is so profoundly meaningful for Dr. Clarke and her daughter, Rep. Yvette Clarke - as women of color - and Democratic legislators.
"There've been a lot of references to Shirley Chisholm during this week, as there should be," said Rep. Clarke.
Dr. Clarke said when she offered herself for the New York City Council, she was one of the first people she asked 'should I do it?'
She did - and became the first Caribbean-born woman to serve on the New York City council. Her daughter, Yvette - succeeding her in that seat - now serving in the same Brooklyn district in Congress that Chisholm served.
After serving as a delegate for the first time in 1984 when Jesse Jackson ran for president, the mother and daughter collectively have delegates for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and now Kamala Harris.
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