Shirley Berenstein has dedicated her professional life to bettering the lives of people with disabilities through education, innovative public health programs, and impactful storytelling. The Arc of the United States honored Shirley, AHRC New York City’s Chief Communications Officer, with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its most recent National Convention in Charlotte, NC.
“For over four decades, Shirley has been one of the defining voices at AHRC NYC,” said Marco Damiani, CEO. “Always, she turned vision into action, ideas into systems of care. She has shaped how AHRC NYC tells its story, for publications, films, events, and advocacy campaigns, ensuring that our values of inclusion, dignity, and equity are expressed with heart.”
Marco highlighted our recent 75th Anniversary special edition of our Annual Report as “a lasting symbol of Shirley’s vision and her artistry.”
A Lifelong Advocate
Shirley’s passion for social justice and disability rights began with her sister, Paula, who had Down syndrome.
“I was Paula’s shy baby sister,” Shirley said, “and when we were young it was her having to drag me where I needed to go and she always led me to wherever I needed to go. She was emotionally intelligent in a way that far surpasses many of the people I know. She had a great sense of humor and always a mischievous twinkle in her eye.”
Shirley credited Paula with shaping her view of people of all abilities and backgrounds.
“I learned to see past the superficial and to understand the humanity of all people considered other, as is the case for many siblings.”
Shirley was hired in September 1975 as a school principal, working in that role for 12 years. She has since “touched every area of the organization,” from spearheading a pediatric AIDS program for young people with disabilities, organizing one of the state’s first long term support systems for people with traumatic brain injuries, planning our annual dinners and annual meetings, and shepherding the agency’s public relations. She attributed much of her professional success to the era in which she began her career.
“They say timing is everything, and it really was because 1975 was the beginning of deinstitutionalization and community development in New York. It was a time of tremendous growth and tremendous opportunity for people with disabilities and for those of us who worked in the field. I feel so lucky to have been given those opportunities.”
She ended her remarks with a call for the next generation of advocates and professionals to take up the mantle of disability justice. “I leave the future to all of you. There is a lot more to do, but I know that all of you can do it.”
