Shirley Ann Session Edgerton is a dedicated educator, DEI practitioner, and community activist, whose work spans decades of transformative leadership. As the founder of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) program, Shirley has mentored young women of color and non-binary youth, focusing on personal growth, education, and empowerment. Her impactful work includes organizing college tours, HBCU visits, and service-learning projects in West Africa, fostering self-sufficiency and global citizenship. A recognized leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Shirley’s legacy in Pittsfield schools and the Berkshire community continues to uplift generations.