November Firsts: African-Americans Who Broke Barriers in Politics

Political stars who set major milestones in November.

Barack Obama - Four years ago, Barack Obama was elected the first Black president, but there are many other Black politicians who blazed a path during the month of November. — Britt Middleton   Continuing on his historic path, President Obama was re-elected to serve a second term on Nov. 6. (Photo:  DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Shirley Chisholm - Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, representing New York from 1969 until 1983. In 1972, she also became the first major-party Black candidate to run for president and was the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. (Photo: Don Hogan Charles/New York Times Co./Getty Images)
Colin Powell - A retired four-star army general, Colin Powell was named White House National Security Adviser in 1987. Powell would be appointed the first Black U.S. Secretary of State in 2001, serving under President George W. Bush. (Photo:  CHRIS WILKINS/AFP/Getty Images)Condoleezza Rice - One of the Republican Party's shining stars, Condoleezza Rice was nominated to succeed Powell as U.S. Secretary of State in 2004, the first Black woman to receive the honor. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January 2005, serving under President Bush. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Barack Obama - Four years ago, Barack Obama was elected the first Black president, but there are many other Black politicians who blazed a path during the month of November. — Britt Middleton   Continuing on his historic path, President Obama was re-elected to serve a second term on Nov. 6. (Photo:  DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

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