The first African-American woman elected to Congress, Shirley Chisholm (D-NY) represented the 12^th District of New York from 1969 to 1983.  In 1972, Ms. Chisholm launched a grassroots campaign for President, garnering 400,000 votes in 14 states during the primary cycle and 152 delegate votes at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.   The first African-American to launch a serious bid for the presidency, Chisholm lost the nomination to George McGovern (D-SD).

Four years earlier, third-party candidate Charlene Mitchell was the Communist Party nominee for President.  On the ballot in only 2 states, she reportedly received 1,075 votes.