Shirley Chisholm rose to national prominence during the Civil Rights movement becoming the first black woman elected to Congress in 1968. It's a legacy Yvette Clarke holds dear, representing much of Chisholm's old Brooklyn district. Clarke introduced a resolution to have Chisholm represented in Statuary Hall at the U.S Capitol.  

"To have a black woman from Brooklyn with Caribbean roots ascend to that level of political authority, it's something that needs to be marked in history," Clarke said.

Although Clarke looks to Chisholm for inspiration, she says it was her mom - former City Councilwoman Una Clarke - who was more influential in shaping her desire to serve.  

Born in Jamaica, Una Clarke came to New York as a college student in 1959, became a citizen in the 60's and quickly engaged in politics. In 1991, Una won a Council seat representing Central Brooklyn, the first Caribbean-born woman elected to the City Council. Yvette was her campaign manager and Shirley Chisholm endorsed her candidacy. 

"It's probably our Caribbean spirit that gives us an opportunity to be able to speak our minds," Una Clarke said.

Una served in the City Council  for 10 years, until she was forced out by term limits. 

But then her daughter ran for her open seat and won - the first mother-to-daughter succession in city history. 

"All of those folks whose lives she touched, invested a certain amount of trust in me too. And I think it was because they realized the relationship I have with my mom. which is a very close mother daughter relationship. Aside from the political banter or what have you, I just love my mom," Yvette Clarke said.

In 2006, Yvette Clarke was elected to Congress representing the 9th Congressional District. She displays pictures in her office of President Barack Obama. But not President Donald Trump. 

"There's nothing that Donald Trump has done since elected that hasn't had an adverse impact on someone living in my constituency. From the Muslim ban to DACA to fighting the affordable care act," said Yvette Clarke.

"If it were today, I would've probably been a dreamer and would probably not be able to come to begin with. And when I look at myself and look at my daughter in Congress, I am angered by what the president has said about immigration," said Una Clarke.

The Congresswoman says she's been waging many battles in Washington as she channels a pair of female trailblazers from Brooklyn.