Grant F. Anderson Citation for Meritorious Ministry
2012 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

Shirley K. Ford

Shirley Ford, a native of Brooklyn, is a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Jamaica. She has had wonderful opportunities to serve her church and to receive many blessings. She has served on the Vestry, worked with the youth, and with the young men at Grace she helped to establish a relationship with the Anglican youth group in Barbados. The groups traveled to Barbados and shared their religious experiences.

She is president of Grace Church’s vibrant Christian Social Action Committee. Shirley spearheaded First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” health program involving parents, teenagers and kids, as well as the Committee’s relationship with York College’s Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Aerospace Academy (SEEMA).

Shirley serves as Vice President on the Grace Church Housing for Seniors Board and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Bishop Herbert Thompson Jr. Music and Art Summer Workshop and the newly formed After School Program.

Shirley received degrees from Hunter College and New York University. She has taught from elementary to college level and served as an early childhood administrator.

She has served on the Commission on Ministry, Partners in Mission, the Bishop’s Leadership Committee, and the Racial Justice Committee. While serving on the Racial Justice Committee, she planned and trained members to conduct the Martin Luther King Jr., and Beyond Workshop. She also developed Conflict Resolution workshops for young people. She also served as the Queens Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.

Shirley, working with others, helped to establish the Inspirational Choir (spiritual and Gospel music) at The Riverside Church in Manhattan. She has served as Vice President and President of the Queens Federation of Churches and assisted and sponsored many workshops, forums and music festivals.

She enjoys traveling, reading and music. Her travels have been to the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and many States in the United States. Her dream trip is to South Africa.

Her belief is that we are spiritual beings, having human experiences that foster growth in our love and faith, and that we recognize in our diversity that we are one in Christ.