Shirley Roberts, a vibrant mainstay in Democratic politics and an activist who campaigned for advancement for Los Angeles’ working families, women and poor for more than six decades, died on Tuesday, Dec. 7. She was 79.
Roberts had a long record as a fighter for human rights for California’s most vulnerable. She took part in nearly every progressive cause in Los Angeles throughout the 20th century — and pushed her way into the 21st century — racking up one political success after another.
“Shirley Roberts never, ever stopped fighting for the things she knew were right and she extended her compassion and love to nearly every person she met,” said Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles). “Whether it was rights for workers, advancement for women, transportation for seniors, or improving health care and conditions for Los Angeles’ poor — Shirley put the people and the causes around her before herself. She was unlike any other woman I’ve ever known, and I will miss her greatly.”
Roberts was an energetic and tenacious force aiding the local, state and national campaigns of Southern California’s rising progressive political stars. She fought for the elections to public office of former Congresswoman and U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Congressman Henry Waxman, Congresswoman-elect Karen Bass, Senator Sheila Kuehl, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Controller Wendy Greuel, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and City Councilman Paul Koretz.
But she knew all of those same leaders long before they reached their public stage. She was generous with her friendship, guidance and wisdom, and shared with them the values, morals and goals that made her so determined to enact change.
She loved her many friends like family, and she was constantly adding adoptive children, grandchildren, cousins and nephews who were struck by her warmth and strength, and her infectious sense of humor. It was a love she extended to animals, too, which she often rescued and then named for one of her adoptive children.
Above all, Shirley urged the people around her to follow Gandhi’s wisdom and “be the change you want to see in the world.”
“I had the pleasure of working with Shirley on behalf of those less fortunate in our community. She was a strong soul and an outspoken voice of fairness and decency for working people everywhere,” said Solis. “I owe much of where I am today to the lessons of her life. Her leadership, activism and unyielding commitment those most vulnerable will be missed.”
The love of politics and human rights ran deep in Roberts’ family. Her parents, Bernard and Esther, were dedicated to liberal causes to improve conditions for the working poor, and by 1944 their daughter was already following their example when she co-chaired the American Youth for Roosevelt for Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles native graduated from Fairfax High School and then UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and a minor in Sociology. She also obtained a certification as a gerontologist from the University of Southern California.
As a staff member for Mayor Tom Bradley, Roberts initiated outreach support programs for better nutrition, transportation, long-term care and escort programs for seniors. And she offered a clarion call for better healthcare services for all residents in Los Angeles long before it became a trendy issue in partisan politics.
Roberts was also a civic activist in her home of West Hollywood. As rent prices began to spiral upward in the early 1980s, Roberts was part of a team of West Hollywood residents who supported incorporating the city so it could better serve its diverse residents. They swiftly voted for incorporation, and West Hollywood has since been a leader in providing social services to the people who call the city home. In the years since, Roberts served on the West Hollywood Human Services Commission and the West Hollywood Election Reform Task Force.
Roberts also worked with the Women’s Political Committee and the Feminist Majority Foundation, and she was a national board member and regional Vice President for the Jewish Labor Committee for more than five years.
Roberts is survived by her son, Chuck Henry.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, December 12 at Congregation Kol Ami, 1200 North La Brea Avenue, West Hollywood at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent in her memory either to the National Council of Jewish Woman – Los Angeles Branch, or the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Transgender Economic Empowerment Project.
“L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center” or “Friends of the Center”
Friends of the Center, P.O. Box 51896
Los Angeles CA 90051-6196
“Council of Jewish Woman Los Angeles”
543 North Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles 90036
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