Shirley Edgerton

Shirley Edgerton serves as Cultural Proficiency Coach for Pittsfield public schools. She facilitates training in Cultural Competency, initiates cross cultural projects in collaboration with students,educators and community partners. She is also part of the Pittsfield Public School District team to diversify the workforce. She is the founder of the Women of Color Giving Circle of the Berkshires and The Rites of Passage and Empowerment program. The mission of R.O.P.E. is to celebrate and honor the entry of adolescent girls into womanhood and provide them with skills and knowledge that they need to be successful, independent and responsible women! It is designed to help them discover their voice and support all components of personal development. Two primary projects of R.O.P.E are college tours locally, in neighboring states and to Historical Black College and Universities. The second is an international service learning project in South and West Africa. She also serves on the board of 18 Degrees and the executive committee of the N.A.A.C.P. Shirley Edgerton earned a M.Ed from MCLA 2004 and was recognized for her community work with an honorary Doctorate of Humanity from The College of Our Lady of the Elms May 2018 and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 2019. She is the proud parent of three adult children and five grandchildren.