BY: Cheryl Smith
Recently, I reached out to several members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Believe me when I tell you that I was livid!
As calmly as I could, I expressed my disappointment and frustration.
To their credit, the ladies in pink and green did not meet me with the energy I gave them.
You see, I came home and before I called it a night, I checked out social media and not because I had a FOMO (fear of missing out) moment, but wanted to keep loyal Black Press supporters apprised of events of the day.
If there was something I could share with the thousands who tune in to the Metro News daily newsletter, I’d sleep better.
Granted on this specific Saturday, I had several events to attend and really needed to practice saying no. But to miss the opportunity to shower someone of Mrs. Fisher’s calibre with praise, love and flowers, while, I really care what was on my calendar, I needed to be among the number who honored her for all the times she put others first, provided guidance, and lifted as she climbed.
Sure I was busy that day, but nothing else mattered when I saw that the dynamic Alpha Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority had honored Mrs. Fisher for 65 years of service!
Although I always expressed appreciation for her whenever I saw her; this was big!
I even reached out to her Godson, State Sen. Royce West. He attended the celebration. And here I missed out on sharing that special moment with her, basking in the love she so richly deserved.
Admittedly, I was feeling a certain way about him, too, upon hearing of her honor!
So days later, when I received word of her transition, it was especially hard.
Sure, I gained another angel on that day. She had to be concerned about me. I knew this because whenever she was around, I felt her presence, and she had a way of looking at and talking to me that let me know I was special, that I was her favorite, Delta, Journalist, fellow educator, FAMU Rattler, and fellow Hall of Famer.
She made my heart smile, and she brought me joy.
I remember when she received the Humanitarian Award from the African American Education Archives and History Program.
Her tribute was impressive:
Congratulations to Shirley R. Fisher, the 21st South Central Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and a member of the Alpha Xi Omega Chapter in Dallas, on being named the 2025 Humanitarian Award Recipient in October.
Fisher’s remarkable journey began in Galveston, Texas, where, although she initially intended to study nursing at Prairie View A&M University, she pivoted to the sciences and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
She later obtained a Master of Education degree, specializing in counseling, guidance, and secondary education.
Inspired by her mother, a teacher, Fisher returned to Galveston and started her educational career in the Galveston Independent School District.
After six years, she moved to Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District, serving as both a high school teacher and counselor.
Despite facing racism as one of only two Black teachers on her campus, Fisher persevered and left a lasting legacy within the community, impacting students and families alike.
Fisher’s career flourished further when she joined the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), where she worked as a counselor at David W. Carter High School and Bryan Adams High School. Her exceptional performance led to her appointment as administrator over Counseling Services.
Over her 28 years with DISD, Fisher was a trailblazer, helping countless students overcome obstacles, graduate, and pursue meaningful lives.
Throughout her career, Fisher garnered numerous accolades, including being named Counselor of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and induction into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame in 2020.
Among her achievements, she authored the influential paper “Black Women: Achievement Against the Odds,” won the Dallas ISD Counselor of the Year Award three times, and became the district’s first minority interim director of Counseling Services.
Also named a Superb Woman, by Texas Metro News, Mrs. Fisher supported the Black Press and she also supported efforts to uplift, nurture and undergird students.
Here’s a lesson for you – Share your love every day because there may come a time when you can’t!
I take solace in knowing that the love I had for her, I shared with her.
And I am comforted, and forgiving of my sisters, her sorors, as we all celebrate a truly wonderful person.
