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Barbara Winslow is the founder and director of the Shirley Chisholm Project at Brooklyn College. She started it five years ago to preserve the legacy of Chisholm who graduated from the college and went on to become the first black woman to serve in Congress. She was also the first to run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Winslow says it's that pioneering spirit of activism that she hopes to inspire in a new generation of Brooklyn College women.

"Part of the goal of the project is to show that all women and all activists can be extraordinary and accomplish extraordinary things," Winslow said.

Winslow was recently honored for her work by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz in recognition of Women's History Month. Celebrating women's history is something Winslow does daily as she is also a professor at the school's women's studies program.

"Taking women's history courses and examining the world through the lens of gender, it gives our students greater critical thinking skills," Winslow said.

Winslow says Brooklyn College has one of the oldest women's studies programs in the country. It was created in 1973, and although it's not the biggest department in the school, Winslow says it's growing.

"I took the introductory class and it was an 'aha' moment. On everything, it opened my eyes on many issues I often questioned but just couldn't figure out," said Brooklyn College student and women's studies major Kendra Lewis.

Winslow says the program is one of the most interdisciplinary at the school. She also adds that with a women's studies degree, her students can accomplish anything.

"We tackle so many issues at once from a sociological perspective, psychological perspective, health issues," said Brooklyn College student and women's studies major Jessica Gafkowitz.

"We're talking about timely issues that are relevant to the students, relevant to Brooklyn and relevant to the country," said Brooklyn College Women's History Program Coordinator Namita Manohar.

The degree program requires students to do an internship in a women's or feminist organization in Brooklyn, applying their classroom knowledge to the community and vice versa. And with Shirley Chisholm integrated in their studies, they don't have to look far for inspiration to help make their mark.