Inspired by an exceptional government teacher, Shirley Haas ran for seventh grade president by promising to put Coca-Cola in drinking fountains, and of course, she won! From there on out, she was sold on making the world a better place. She prides herself on being a women’s issues activist and has committed herself to this cause.
Shirley earned a bachelor of science in English and a masters degree in counseling and student personal. She was an English teacher, residence hall director, and Assistant Dean of Women. At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, she established and coordinated the Women’s Education Resources now called Adult Resources and Advising. Likewise, Shirley assumed the role of coordinator of the University of Wisconsin Extension Program.
Additionally, Shirley was a founder of the local Women’s Political Caucus in our area and president of the League of Women Voters as well as a dedicated member. She kept busy as a chairman of local committees on state legislative action and the administration of justice, and she was elected to the La Crosse common council in 1985 coupled with the city planning commission. From 1976 to 1979, Shirley served on the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women, in addition to the coordinating committee of the Wisconsin International Women’s Year state meetings, the Western Area Manpower and Training Board, the Wisconsin Citizen’s Conference on Judicial Organization and the Lower West Central Criminal Justice Planning Council Education Committee.
Although retired, she remains active volunteering at the La Crosse Public Library book store, various church projects, contemporary issues committee at church, among others.
With a long list of political activities, Shirley Haas has strengthened women’s roles in society and improved the legal rights of opportunities of women in our community. All in all, Shirley has created a more desirable place for young women of today to thrive.
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