Fresh off the critical acclaim of her crime drama Widows, Viola Davis is gearing up to step into the shoes of the iconic trailblazer, Shirley Chisholm, for Amazon Studios’ The Fighting Shirley Chisholm.

Chisholm made history as the first African-American Congresswoman representing New York’s 12th district, as well as the first woman to run for president from a major political party. Davis is attached to star in the film, as well as produce the film alongside her husband Julius Tennon under their production company, JuVee Productions. The Fighting Shirley Chisolm will be directed Maggie Betts, written by Adam Countee and produced by Stephanie Allain.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy Award winner expressed what she hoped the impact of the biopic will be. “I hope to educate because a lot of people don’t know who she was,” Davis said to the publication. “Everyone can be brave and bold if you have it in you.”

If the film Hidden Figures is anything to go by, it is that the stories of many trailblazing Black women are left untouched, not acknowledged and often buried in the classrooms, so this will be a welcome treat.

READ MORE:

Viola Davis On How The ‘Regular Black Woman’ Is Missing From Cinema And That ‘Widows’ Opening Kiss.

TIFF Review: Viola Davis Is A Calculating, Emotional And Complex Leader In Steve McQueen’s Heist Thriller ‘Widows’

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The Fighting Shirley Chisolm

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