At the November 12th City Council Business Meeting, the City of Palm Coast proclaimed November as Shirley Chisholm Month to honor the trailblazing congresswoman’s legacy. This celebration coincides with what would have been Chisholm’s 100th birthday, reflecting her lasting impact on the nation and inspiring future generations to continue her fight for equality and justice.
The Shirley Chisholm Trail, located on Pine Lakes Parkway, was initially unveiled in 2022 as a tribute to Chisholm’s groundbreaking achievements in Congress and her lifelong advocacy for racial and gender equality. This year, the city enhanced the trail with interactive, self-guided elements to celebrate her centennial birthday. New QR codes on trail markers allow visitors to listen to recorded messages about Chisholm’s life and legacy, narrated by members of the Palm Coast Democratic Women’s Club.
“We are so pleased to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Shirley Chisholm,” said Agnes Lightfoot of the Palm Coast Democratic Women’s Club. “To honor her legacy, we have installed QR codes on trail markers so that visitors can listen to recordings of Shirley Chisholm’s slogans by our members. These statements were composed and designed over the last year with the help of the City of Palm Coast Parks & Recreation Department to be a self-guided walking tour—whether walking, biking, or sitting on a bench along the trail.”
Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst expressed gratitude to the Palm Coast Democratic Women’s Club for their dedication to bringing this vision to life. “We sincerely thank the Women’s Democratic Club for their incredible work in making this interactive trail a reality,” Hirst said. “This collaboration has created a unique opportunity to celebrate Shirley Chisholm’s legacy while highlighting the natural beauty of our trail. We invite all residents and visitors to experience this meaningful addition to our community.”
The idea of the Chisholm Trail was inspired by Chisholm’s own words during her 1972 presidential campaign when she encouraged supporters to “Join me on the Chisholm trail.” Approved earlier this year by the City Council, the trail now stands as a tribute to her groundbreaking achievements in Congress, including her role in advancing food assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC.
The City of Palm Coast invites everyone to visit the Shirley Chisholm Trail on Pine Lakes Parkway, reflect on her legacy, and celebrate the progress she inspired.
