Rosa Craig

My mom, Shirley Colbert—who likes to be known as Shirley White—has been a community activist for many, many years. She’s 85 now. She fought for us to get a laundromat put in. She fought for us practically every day. She would go to court with you, introduce you to Legal Aid, and show you how to get legal counsel.

One of the most recent things she accomplished, which was her final major effort, was getting the Laurel Homes building on Liberty Street—what's left of the Laurel Homes—placed on the National Historic Registry.

She loved the people. She wanted everyone to have equal housing, regardless of income. It made me a better person because I now find myself watching out for kids and trying to help people.