Jacqulyn Shropshire

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she attended public schools and after earning her baccalaureate degree in Business Education and Economics from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, she became the first African American employee in an administrative position with Trans World Airlines, and later a teacher in the Kansas City Public School system. In 1961 she married Thomas Shropshire and moved to New York where she earned a Masters Degree in Education from Hunter College, and taught in New York public schools. In 1968 Mrs. Shropshire accompanied her husband to Lagos, Nigeria during his tenure as Corporate Vice President of Philip Morris. There she helped organize the first American Women’s Club to aid and assist in all areas of community service, especially parenting skills for unwed mothers and assisting in placing abandoned children in safe and secure homes. She also founded and served as editor-in-chief of “Fancy That” a newsletter for women. The family moved from Nigeria to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1972 where Mrs. Shropshire began 30 years of service with the Milwaukee Urban League, initially as a volunteer, later accepting an appointment as Executive Director, and ultimately elected to the Board of Directors. During that time she also gave support and guidance to other organizations serving youth, women, and community development. She organized the first African American debutante cotillion with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc which presented over $300,000 in scholarships to deserving young African American women in the Milwaukee community; she was the first African American female corporate Chairman of Wisconsin for the United Negro College Fund raising over $500,000; and she founded and led Momentum Unlimited of Milwaukee, a firm specializing in management development, public relations and special event planning. Her past and present board memberships include: the Milwaukee Urban League, University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee); Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (YWCA); The Next Door Foundation; American Red Cross; National Endowment for the Arts Advisory Committee; Milwaukee Historical Society; Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau; African World Festival; Inner City Arts Council; The Curative Workshop of Milwaukee; the Joint Center of Political Studies in Washington, D.C., and Founder and Board Member of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the organizer and Board Chairman of the Las Vegas-Clark County Urban League. Jacqulyn is also an active Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; The Links, Inc.; NAACP Life Member; President of the Quarter Century Club, National Urban League; The Girl Friends, Inc; and Life Member, National Council of Negro Women. She has received numerous awards and citations for her untiring and expert leadership and service. In 200l the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee passed a resolution naming a Jacqulyn C. Shropshire Family Literacy Center in Memphis, Tennessee at the Goodwill International School for Boys and Girls, commending Mrs. Shropshire for her years as an exceptional asset to her community. Jacqulyn has a son, attorney Thomas B. Shropshire, Jr.; daughter Terilyn A. Shropshire, A.C.E; and two granddaughters, Bailey Elizabeth and Emily Kate.