What other papers are saying

By Staff
Chisholm a proud political pioneer
Shirley Chisholm never bought into the "go along to get along" philosophy that pervades Washington politics. Chisholm was not the choice of the Brooklyn Democratic establishment when she first ran for Congress in 1968. But she prevailed in the party primary and defeated James Farmer, a former civil rights leader running as a Republican, to become the first African American woman to serve in the House of Represen-tatives.
Chisholm proved equally independent when she arrived on Capitol Hill. She successfully challenged the House seniority system to get her committee assignment changed from Agriculture to posts with more relevance to her urban district.
Perhaps her most audacious move - the one that elevated her national prominence - was her run for president in 1972. Chisholm knew she had no chance of winning the party nomination, but the campaign gave her a platform to argue forcefully for the causes she promoted: fighting against racism, sexism, social injustice and the Vietnam War. "She was someone who would speak truth to power … absolutely fearless," said San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, a legislative aide to Chisholm from 1976 to 1979. She walked fast, radiated resolve and signed autographs with the credo, "always aim high," Dufty.
Many candidates like to portray themselves as a jolting antidote to the status quo.
Chisholm, who died Saturday at age 80, was a proud pioneer. She thoroughly lived up to her original campaign slogan, "Unbought and unbossed."
By Mike Prince, Editor of the Houston (Miss.) Times-Post. Note: Editorials from other newspapers that are printed in the Franklin County Times also reflect the opinion of our editorial board.