March 27, 2003
"Maudelle Shirek is one of my political heroes," said Lee. "She not only encouraged me to get involved in politics, but she was also a mentor of my predecessor, the Honorable Ronald V. Dellums. Her clarity on reordering our national priorities has won the solid support of people in the Bay area and throughout the world."
A granddaughter of slaves, Shirek left her rural Arkansas home and came to California during World War II. Before long, she was campaigning for fair housing and other civil rights for African Americans. Later, she became a union organizer and an office manager for the Co-Op Credit Union.
Shirek’s commitment to her Berkeley community is limitless. She helped found two Berkeley senior centers, one of which she still actively oversees, and at 91, she still delivers meals to shut-in seniors. On Tuesdays, she does the shopping for lunches at the New Light Senior Center, which she founded 27 years ago.
"Maudelle Shirek continues to speak for the voiceless and defend our basic civil rights," said Lee. "Fighting for social justice is no rarity in Berkeley, but Maudelle’s name always stands above the rest because of her uncompromising fidelity to her ideals and compassion for people."
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Circulates "Dear Colleague" Letter Honoring Berkeley Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek
Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee today circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter honoring Maudelle Shirek, the 91-year old Vice Mayor of Berkeley. As part of the Members of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s efforts to honor women leaders during Women’s History Month, Lee paid tribute in the letter to Shirek, whom she counts not merely as a constituent, but as an inspiration."Maudelle Shirek is one of my political heroes," said Lee. "She not only encouraged me to get involved in politics, but she was also a mentor of my predecessor, the Honorable Ronald V. Dellums. Her clarity on reordering our national priorities has won the solid support of people in the Bay area and throughout the world."
A granddaughter of slaves, Shirek left her rural Arkansas home and came to California during World War II. Before long, she was campaigning for fair housing and other civil rights for African Americans. Later, she became a union organizer and an office manager for the Co-Op Credit Union.
Shirek’s commitment to her Berkeley community is limitless. She helped found two Berkeley senior centers, one of which she still actively oversees, and at 91, she still delivers meals to shut-in seniors. On Tuesdays, she does the shopping for lunches at the New Light Senior Center, which she founded 27 years ago.
"Maudelle Shirek continues to speak for the voiceless and defend our basic civil rights," said Lee. "Fighting for social justice is no rarity in Berkeley, but Maudelle’s name always stands above the rest because of her uncompromising fidelity to her ideals and compassion for people."
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