Please contact the contributing institution for more information regarding the copyright status of this object.
Description
In this oral history interview, beloved elementary school teacher Shirley Hasley discusses not only her 38-year career in Mill Valley, but the people, experiences and attitudes that helped shape her steadfast convictions. Shirley (nee Andrews) moved with her family from Oklahoma to California in 1943. Growing up in a farm-like environment on the edge of Bakersfield, Shirley learned to work hard and take pride in what she did. Shirley tells how, even with 13 of their own children, her parents created a foster home for around 250 boys, girls, and adults over the course of their lifetimes - their generosity partially a product of the family's strong religious faith. This same faith taught Shirley to "turn the other cheek" in response to negativity, a behavior she employed in the face of prejudice throughout her life, and particularly as the first African American teacher in Mill Valley in the 1960s. Shirley's initial move to the Bay Area was precipitated by Willie Brown, who awarded her a scholarship to San Francisco State University and presented her to the city as a debutante. The beginning of Shirley's career at Park Elementary School was no less eventful: in her first year, Shirley took part in the school district's desegregation program as a teacher in Marin City and faced resistance from both the Marin City and the Mill Valley communities. Alongside the resistance came support from some, and throughout her oral history, Shirley traces her gradual acceptance into the Mill Valley community and its glowing recognition of her dedication to teaching. Shirley recounts how some of this acceptance initially came from a surprising offer to appear in a Coca-Cola ad, but came to encompass her classroom abilities and teaching philosophy. After retiring from her position at Edna Maguire Elementary School, Shirley continued to give back by promoting affordable housing and building a women's shelter with characteristic verve and energy. Editor's note: The recording for this oral history is not available. A later 2013 oral history interview, with transcript and recording, is available in the History Room.
Identifier
06A1A1F3-6B59-49DE-A5D1-151158203410 2016.075.001
Subject
Affordable housing Andrews, Dolly Andrews, Violet Andrews, Walter Avedon, Richard Brown, Willie Cherry, Don Di Giovanni, Anton Edna Maguire School Education Fitzgerald, Ella Foster home care Foster parents Frieberg, Bonnie Hasley, Jim Hasley, Johle Marin City Mill Valley changes MV history - Music and counterculture (1960s and 1970s) Oral history - Discrimination, segregation, racism Oral history - Education Park School Race discrimination Race relations Racism Schools Skelton, Glen Teachers Teaching Teaching methods Terwilliger Award Waldeck, Clifford
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
