Which figure served as the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress?

• A. Nancy Pelosi
• B. Condoleezza Rice
• C. Shirley Chisholm
• D. Barbara Jordan

Answer: (C)

This question tests knowledge of the first milestones for African American women in Congress. Shirley Chisholm was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1968 and took office in 1969, making her the first African American woman to serve in Congress. She represented New York's 12th district for six terms and also ran for president in 1972, becoming the first Black major-party candidate and the first woman to seek the Democratic nomination.

Nancy Pelosi later became the first female Speaker of the House, but she did not hold the distinction of being the first African American woman in Congress. Condoleezza Rice never served in Congress. Barbara Jordan was a pioneering African American woman in Congress, serving after Chisholm, but she was not the first.