Shirley Edgerton
Shirley Edgerton is a visionary leader, activist, and mentor whose lifelong commitment to youth development and community empowerment has made a lasting impact in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and beyond. As the founder of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) Program, she has created a transformative space for young women and individuals who identify as female or non-binary to explore identity, build self-worth, and develop leadership skills. With more than 30 years of experience in civic engagement and social services, Shirley brings a deep understanding of cultural competency, education, and mentorship to every aspect of her work.
Her career began in state government, where she spent over two decades managing residential programs, overseeing staff, and supporting youth through social service initiatives. She later became the first Cultural Proficiency Coach for Pittsfield Public Schools, where she trained educators in culturally responsive teaching and fostered inclusive environments for students. In addition to her public service, Shirley founded Youth Alive, an arts-based program that uses step, dance, and drumming to engage young people, build confidence, and expose them to creative and professional opportunities. These experiences laid the foundation for R.O.P.E., which has grown into a year-round mentoring program offering holistic development through education, cultural exposure, and international service learning.
Shirley holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and has received multiple honors recognizing her impact, including the MassArt Common Good Award and community leadership recognitions from organizations such as the NAACP. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates in recognition of her decades of service. Guided by a passion for equity and empowerment, Shirley continues to inspire the next generation by connecting them with mentorship, expanding their opportunities, and helping them discover their voice and purpose.
• Certified Diversity Trainer (Brandeis University)
• Atlanta University School of Social Work
• Elms College
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts- M.Ed.
• Herbert Lehman College - CUNY- B.A.
• Honorary Doctorate
• Elms College
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
• Award from Mass Arts for Youth and Performing Arts
• Award from Barrington Theater Company for Work with Young People and Performing Arts
• Award from NAACP for Activism
• MassArt Common Good Award
• Gateway Innovation Award
• Black Excellence Recognition
• She knows where she is going award
• Multicultural Bridge Community Bridge Builder Award
• 2009 Woman of Distiction Award
• Berkshire Heroes 2002
• NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
• Rights of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) Program
• Youth Alive Step Team and Musical Performance Arts Group
• Advocacy for Youth in Juvenile Court System and Foster Care
• Partnership with Pittsfield Public Schools for Student Support
• Collaboration with Malcolm Bernard Historical Black College and University Fair
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
• Berkshire Priorities Literacy Project
• Women of Color Giving Circle
• Lift Ev'ry Voice: Celebrating African American Culture & Heritage
• Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts
• 18 Degrees Family Services for Western Massachusetts
What do you attribute your success to?
I think it would be the alumni pool that exists - these are young people who graduated from high school and have graduated from college, or are on their way out of college. I can't tell you how moving and inspiring it is to see these young people who even questioned and doubted that they had the ability to attend college, as well as the financial capacity, and then now to see them as college graduates. Some of our alumni are in key positions in the county - the head of the airport in Pittsfield is a ROPE alum, the head of the Berkshire County Head Start is a ROPE alum, and the list goes on. There's no greater joy for me than to just witness them when they have accomplished and met their goals. That's what keeps me going and what I consider my greatest achievement.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I'm very concerned right now, at least at this moment, with the funding for nonprofits, particularly from the government. It's a girls' program, so there seems sometimes some concern around gender and race. At this moment, I have some concerns in terms of the funding and the response from the government and ensuring that there's attention paid to some of the most neediest people in our community. We have young people whose families are unhoused. We went to a program a couple of weekends ago, I had about 5 young members with me, and one received a phone call towards the end of the event, and her family was basically being evicted from a hotel where they were staying for non-payment. I had to take her over to the hotel, and we're getting her stuff out of the street, and it was just very disturbing. Part of the big focus of this program is to move young people who are living in poverty to a position of being independent and self-sufficient. The educational piece is important, the current housing situation is important, so I'm concerned that some of the partnerships with the government is questionable at this point.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value education, cultural identity, and history, and I am deeply committed to empowering youth while advocating for vulnerable families. Equity, diversity, and inclusion guide both my professional work and personal life, shaping my efforts to build supportive and culturally responsive communities.