Ms. Darrell was born to the union of Jesse and Elizabeth Bruce on June 29, 1936 in Oklahoma City, OK. After receiving her formal education from Douglass High School in 1956, Ms. Darrell attended Hampton University in Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor in Business Administration. She later returned to Oklahoma City, attending Oklahoma City University, where she earned a Master in Business Administration degree. It was also in Oklahoma City, that Ms. Darrell became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., joining the Chi Zeta graduate chapter.
Throughout the 1970s, Ms. Darrell displayed a zeal for equal rights in education by becoming a member of the Oklahoma County school board. Her accumulation of hard work and dedication would not go unnoticed, as Ms. Darrell was appointed by U.S. District Judge Luther Bohanon to join the biracial commission on desegregation. As a member, Ms. Darrell was an integral component in ending school desegregation in Oklahoma City public schools.
In 1982, at 46, Ms. Darrell announced plans to run for political office. She won the election and solidified her name in history to become the first black woman to be elected as Oklahoma County Commissioner for District 1. Ms. Darrell served the political position from 1983 to 1998. Following her election, Ms. Darrell was quoted to say, “It's extremely symbolic and historical but I don't think it's relevant to why people voted for me,” during her November 3, 1982 interview with The Oklahoman. The election in fact only inspired Ms. Darrell to remain steadfast in her efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of Oklahoma.
As County Commissioner, Ms. Darrell’s accomplishments includes construction of 15 major river bridges in District 1; and repaved, widened, and repaired roads throughout the District. She was responsible for the revision and expansion of Fred Myers Park, Ten Acre Lake Park, Kringlin Park, and Telstar Park. She aided in the funding of ten park facilities and swimming pools to provide free swimming and recreational summer activities for children and youth. The City of Midwest City re-named Telstar Park Shirley Darrell Telstar Park in her honor.
Ms. Darrell’s was involved in numerous organizations and causes surrounding issues such as desegregation, health, housing and the arts throughout her career. She served as the executive director of the YWCA, director of the Black Liberated Arts Center, and director of community services for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority. She was a member of the Oklahoma City Arts Council, the Oklahoma Health Systems Sub-Area Council, the American Marketing Association, Helping Hand and the Oklahoma Health, Recreation and Fitness Council.
Committed to education, Ms. Darrell served as Principal for a Day in various public schools; served as a Board Member of the National Association of Counties; the Oklahoma City School Board District I-89; and the Vocational-Technical School District 22. She coordinated contributions from Counties Across America to erect a monument on the Oklahoma County Courthouse grounds to honor the services provided by Counties Across America following the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.
Ms. Shirley Darrell passed away on May 8, 2013. She will be remembered as a beloved advocate for social change and a champion for human rights. Ms. Darrell paved the way for many of our leaders today, and for the future leaders of tomorrow.
Throughout the 1970s, Ms. Darrell displayed a zeal for equal rights in education by becoming a member of the Oklahoma County school board. Her accumulation of hard work and dedication would not go unnoticed, as Ms. Darrell was appointed by U.S. District Judge Luther Bohanon to join the biracial commission on desegregation. As a member, Ms. Darrell was an integral component in ending school desegregation in Oklahoma City public schools.
In 1982, at 46, Ms. Darrell announced plans to run for political office. She won the election and solidified her name in history to become the first black woman to be elected as Oklahoma County Commissioner for District 1. Ms. Darrell served the political position from 1983 to 1998. Following her election, Ms. Darrell was quoted to say, “It's extremely symbolic and historical but I don't think it's relevant to why people voted for me,” during her November 3, 1982 interview with The Oklahoman. The election in fact only inspired Ms. Darrell to remain steadfast in her efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of Oklahoma.
As County Commissioner, Ms. Darrell’s accomplishments includes construction of 15 major river bridges in District 1; and repaved, widened, and repaired roads throughout the District. She was responsible for the revision and expansion of Fred Myers Park, Ten Acre Lake Park, Kringlin Park, and Telstar Park. She aided in the funding of ten park facilities and swimming pools to provide free swimming and recreational summer activities for children and youth. The City of Midwest City re-named Telstar Park Shirley Darrell Telstar Park in her honor.
Ms. Darrell’s was involved in numerous organizations and causes surrounding issues such as desegregation, health, housing and the arts throughout her career. She served as the executive director of the YWCA, director of the Black Liberated Arts Center, and director of community services for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority. She was a member of the Oklahoma City Arts Council, the Oklahoma Health Systems Sub-Area Council, the American Marketing Association, Helping Hand and the Oklahoma Health, Recreation and Fitness Council.
Committed to education, Ms. Darrell served as Principal for a Day in various public schools; served as a Board Member of the National Association of Counties; the Oklahoma City School Board District I-89; and the Vocational-Technical School District 22. She coordinated contributions from Counties Across America to erect a monument on the Oklahoma County Courthouse grounds to honor the services provided by Counties Across America following the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building.
Ms. Shirley Darrell passed away on May 8, 2013. She will be remembered as a beloved advocate for social change and a champion for human rights. Ms. Darrell paved the way for many of our leaders today, and for the future leaders of tomorrow.