Maudelle Shirek facts for kids

Maudelle Shirek (born June 18, 1911 – died April 11, 2013) was a very important activist and politician in Berkeley, California. She served as the Vice Mayor and was a City Council member for eight terms.

Who Was Maudelle Shirek?

Maudelle Shirek was born in Jefferson, Arkansas, in 1911. She grew up on a farm and was the granddaughter of people who had been enslaved. In the 1940s, she moved to Berkeley, California. There, she quickly became known for her strong commitment to civil rights. Civil rights are the basic rights and freedoms that all people should have.

Maudelle married Brownlee Shirek. She worked as an office manager for the Co-op Credit Union.

What Did Maudelle Shirek Do?

Maudelle Shirek was involved in many important movements.

• She supported the anti-war movement, which worked to end the war in Vietnam.
• She was a strong supporter of unions. Unions are groups that protect workers' rights.
• She helped create two senior centers in Berkeley. These centers provide services and activities for older adults.
• She worked to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, a serious health issue.
• She helped organize the Free Mandela movement. This movement worked to free Nelson Mandela, a leader against apartheid in South Africa.
• She was one of the first elected officials in the United States to support a needle exchange program. This program helps prevent the spread of diseases.

How Did She Become a Politician?

Maudelle Shirek was forced to retire from her job as a director of a senior center because of her age. She was 73 years old at the time. But she didn't stop there! At 73, she decided to run for the Berkeley City Council.

She won and served for 8 terms in a row, from 1984 to 2004. When she finished her time on the council, she was 92 years old. This made her one of the oldest elected officials in California!

How Was She Honored?

Maudelle Shirek was a very respected figure.

• In 2007, the Berkeley City Council decided to rename City Hall in her honor. It is now called the Maudelle Shirek City Hall.
• A newspaper article called her "the godmother of East Bay progressive politics." This means she was a very influential leader in politics that focused on social change and fairness in the East Bay area.