You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.

Meaning of the quote

You won't get anywhere in life by just watching from the sidelines and complaining about things. The way to make progress and improve your situation is by taking action and putting your ideas into practice.

About Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, representing New York’s 12th district for seven terms. In 1972, she became the first Black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Throughout her career, she was known for her resolute stand against injustices and as a strong supporter of civil rights and women’s rights.

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More quotes from Shirley Chisholm

The liberals in the House strongly resemble liberals I have known through the last two decades in the civil rights conflict. When it comes time to show on which side they will be counted, they excuse themselves.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

I don’t measure America by its achievement but by its potential.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

Of my two handicaps, being female put many more obstacles in my path than being black.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

There is little place in the political scheme of things for an independent, creative personality, for a fighter. Anyone who takes that role must pay a price.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says: It’s a girl.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

At present, our country needs women’s idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

Congress seems drugged and inert most of the time… its idea of meeting a problem is to hold hearings or, in extreme cases, to appoint a commission.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)

You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.

Shirley Chisholm

first black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924-2005)