Maudelle Shirek is shown here celebrating her 101st Christmas, at home singing Christmas carols with members of her church, The Church For Today. The picture beside her was taken when she was the Mayor of Berkeley.

Maudelle Shirek, 101, celebrated Christmas this year singing carols with fellow church members in her Berkeley home, where she still lives with round-the-clock care.
A former vice mayor and eight-term City Council member in Berkeley, she was born in Jefferson, Arkansas and grew up on a farm, the granddaughter of slaves.
She moved to Berkeley in the 1940s and immediately gained a reputation for her dedication to civil rights issues. She was married to Brownlee Shirek and worked as office manager for the Co-op Credit Union.
Over the years, she was active in the anti-war movement, a union supporter, founded two Berkeley senior centers, was active in HIV/AIDS awareness, and helped organize the Free Mandela movement.
She was a mentor to former Congressman Ron Dellums and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Shirek still receives visits from Lee.
Shirek remains active with her church, The Church For Today. in Berkeley