RESOLUTION

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING

 

SHIRLEY HERRING-CHAPMAN

 

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WHEREAS, While growing up in Sarasota, Florida as the youngest of 13 children, Ms. Chapman was taught at an early age, the importance of working hard and obtaining an education. While attending Booker T. High School she fell in love with basketball and physical education. She went on to Florida Memorial College and obtained her Bachelors Degree in Education and earned her a lifetime teaching credential; and

   

WHEREAS, After moving to Palo Alto California in 1968 she landed a teaching job with the Ravenswood School District in East Palo Alto. Over the past 37 years Ms. Chapman has taught at nearly every school in East Palo Alto first teaching at Green Oaks Middle School and then concluding her phenomenal career at James Flood and Willow Oaks Middle School. Shirley has worked tirelessly over the years providing a motherly and firm touch in educating her students. Shirley has taught thousands of students, even 3rd generation students, in Math, English and her main subject of Physical Education. Every year you can count on finding Ms. Chapman teaching an after-school program as well as a summer school program, providing leadership and guidance to her students; and

   

WHEREAS, Ms. Chapman has accomplished many firsts – such as; in 1970 she was the first African American point guard for the San Francisco Warriors Ladies Professional basketball team that traveled with the men’s team and played before every Warriors game between 1970 to 1973. In 1973 Ms. Chapman was one of 3 students in a pilot Self-Defense Instructional Karate class that aired on CBS throughout the Bay Area. In 1975 Ms. Chapman was the first African American female Basketball Official in the Fermar Association officiating high school and college basketball games; and

   

WHEREAS, Shirley has coached hundreds of boys and girls basketball teams with many of them winning league and division championships. Many of her students have gone on to colleges and universities successfully achieving their goals while crediting Ms. Chapman for much of their success; and

   

WHEREAS, Ms. Chapman is well known throughout the community for her relentless community service and compassion for others. You will find her giving her time volunteering at the Senior Citizen center taking care of the sick and elderly. Singing in the Jerusalem Church choir on Sunday and traveling abroad with the National Gospel Workshop of America. She has proudly served as a foster mother and is a role model for many in her community.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors expresses its congratulations to Shirley Herring-Chapman upon her retirement for her outstanding contributions to the County of San Mateo and the San Mateo County teaching association that she has proudly served.

 

Dated: June 23, 2007

 
 

SUPERVISORS:

  
   

_____________________________
ROSE JACOBS GIBSON, PRESIDENT

     
   

______________________________
MARK CHURCH

     
   

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RICHARD S. GORDON

     
   

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JERRY HILL

     

 

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ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

     

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors