U.S. Representative-elect Ayanna Pressley has been vocal about her love for Shirley Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman ever elected and the first Black person to seek a nomination for president by a major party. Now, the recently elected Massachusetts representative will make Chisholm’s former congressional office her new home.
Democrat Katie Hill was the initial winner of Chisholm’s office after drawing her pick in the office lottery for newly elected representatives, The Boston Globe reported. However, Hill switched with Pressley, knowing how much it would mean to her.
Pressley tweeted the news, as well, on Monday:
Wow! TY Mommy for the extra bday luck! We just learned my Congressional Office designation will be #ShirleyChisholm 's former office. How's that for divine intervention, AND the selflessness of my colleague @KatieHill4CA who drew a better lottery# but still wanted me to have it.— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) December 17, 2018
Pressley became the first Black woman elected to represent Massachusetts in Congress in the November 6 midterm election, so it is only right that she works from the Capitol office that bred the woman who paved the way for her.
Because of her. pic.twitter.com/6QTXadxdON— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) November 16, 2018
“[Chisholm’s] commitment to fighting injustice and lifting up the voices of the disenfranchised is an inspiration and an example I hope to follow,” Pressley told The Hill. “I am humbled to occupy the same space she did on Capitol Hill.”
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