03/28/2023
Oak Hill Village: A Celebrity You Know with Shirley Jackson in Honor of Women’s History Month.
by LaDonna N. Burns in collaboration with Rob Schwab
In Celebration of National Women’s History Month, we would like to honor one of our very own trailblazers, Shirley Jackson! Shirley pioneered a path of progression for women, especially those who are called to lead.
Shirley grew up in Shamokin (coal region), created a family, and worked perseveringly to earn a college education which allowed her to become an educator at East York and Cedar Crest High Schools as well as Millersville University. In addition, she also enjoyed teaching English to international students for whom English was a second language. She taught communication, journalism, photography, and empowerment to women and girls of all ages enabling them to go into fields that were largely male dominated such as sports reporting, investigative journalism, and one of her students she is very proud of is a current Penn State University professor. She later pursued a certification as a principal for higher pay and put in a tremendous amount of work to overcome adversity as a woman in leadership.
Shirley is most proud of her education, graduating with her Bachelor of Science in literature from Millersville University and going on to achieve a Master of Arts in Latino Literature from Shippensburg University. Being on the east coast, she had to partner with universities in New Mexico and Arizona, no small feat at that time.
Shirley loves a good cause, appreciates authors such as Dickens because they were focused on social justice. She also loves Shakespeare and Biblical writers; her favorites are Isaiah and John; “One from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament”, she says. She is a beach and nature enthusiast who strives to be kind and helpful, roots for the underdog, and lends support when matters of injustice arise.
A three-time cancer survivor, a graduate of many educations, a teacher, mother, and a leader, Shirley has created a story worth telling. Clearly, Ms. Jackson had a great impact on the lives of others and demonstrated that possibilities for girls and women are without limits. Today, Shirley continues to work part-time at Oak Hill Village, and she continues to guide others, participates in recruiting, mentors new spiritual leadership, takes care of her neighbors and continues to inspire and support women in professional roles in our community.
Of course, Shirley feels that the most meaningful part of her life was to raise three wonderful children Hank, Holly, and Sally and adores her 5 grandchildren; all of whom have impressive careers and talents. They shared several trips to Europe and to many National Parks around the country embracing and appreciating other cultures as well as nature’s bounty. Like many of her pupils, Shirley’s legacy lives on in each of them as it does in our community.
