Author of “ONE DAY; Life, Love and Controversy in Middle America”, and “LISTEN”, Shirley is an advocate for peace, freedom, and equality. She challenges social, economical, religious, and political agendas through controversial poetry and essays. Her work is provocative, inspirational, and insightful. As a voice for the people behind the story, her poems minister to current affairs and emotions; befitting life’s challenges - and our times. Shirley has presented her poems in colleges, universities, in social and professional venues, and by special invitation to the ambassador at the American Embassy in Spain. Her vitae ranges from specialized consignment pieces to corporate, group, and individual announcements, pamphlets, and personalized greetings. A diversified writer, widely read poet, and noted public speaker, her controversial bodies of work have been selected for University classes and is read and appreciated worldwide