Shirley Ransome

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Shirley Ransome

Shirley Ransome has been President of the Civic Association of the 500 Block of Wellesley Road for the last six or so years. “I became the President when the previous President decided to step down. I decided to step up and now my neighbors won’t let me step down again.” Shirley had been involved with the organization for a long time. “I lived on the block for almost 29 years. I have been involved all along. We have a beautiful street. And I got involved to keep it that way.”

Shirley has organized the neighbors to take care of the beautiful center plot on her block, where annuals and perennials bloom every spring. She has arranged for snow removal, compiled lists of contractors recommended by the neighbors, planned block-wide yard sales, and put up signs reminding neighbors to curb their pets.

In the words of one of her neighbors, Shirley has also been “unrelenting” in fighting City Hall. “She tenaciously sticks to her goals until she gets results, making endless phone calls and working her way through layers of bureaucracy.” Among other things, Shirley has fought for additional street lighting, money to prune shrubbery, street repaving, and attention to the problems created by a vacant property.

When not rousing her neighbors and city officials, Shirley is a dedicated 4^th grade teacher in the Philadelphia schools. She says she is as meticulous about her classroom as she is about the 500 block of Wellesley Road!