Shirley Miller (Georgia) Explained

Shirley Miller
Office1:First Lady of Georgia
Term Label1:In role
Term Start1:January 14, 1991
Term End1:January 11, 1999
Governor1:Zell Miller
Predecessor1:Elizabeth Harris
Successor1:Marie Barnes
Office2:Second Lady of Georgia
Term Label2:In role
Term Start2:January 14, 1975
Term End2:January 14, 1991
Predecessor2:Hattie Mattox
Successor2:Nancy Howard
Birth Name:Shirley Carver
Birth Date:1936
Birth Place:Andrews, North Carolina, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Children:2
Residence:Young Harris, Georgia
Alma Mater:Young Harris College

Shirley Miller (née Carver; born 1936) is a retired American educator who served as the first lady of Georgia from 1991 to 1999 as the wife of the 79th governor of Georgia, Zell Miller. Her initiatives as first lady were to improve the quality of education within the state, including helping adults in literacy to earn their GED.[1]

Early life and education

Born in Andrews, North Carolina, Miller grew up in nearby Rail Cove. She moved to Georgia to attend Young Harris College where she met her husband, Zell Miller who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956 before entering politics. The couple married in 1954 following her senior year.[2]

Career

Throughout her career serving Georgia alongside her husband until his death in 2018, Miller has been a strong advocate for education and has promoted adult literacy programs since her husband's tenure as governor. In 1990, Miller helped introduce a new initiative called the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) to address rising issues of low literacy rates among adults statewide.[3]

The HOPE Scholarship was created by Governor Miller in 1993 to provide financial aid to students who had achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA as they worked toward their diploma or degree.[4]

In 2011, the Zell Miller scholarship was established for students with a minimum 3.3 GPA in colleges and Universities to reduce costs of tuition.[5]

The Shirley Miller scholarship was also created in order to assist students who are already HOPE scholars a supplement which pays the difference between HOPE and cost of tuition.[6]

A nature preserve located in Walker County, Georgia called the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail is named after Miller.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shirley Miller, 16 December 2008.. Short. Bob. Digital Library of Georgia. December 16, 2008.
  2. Web site: Shirley Miller, 16 December 2008.. Short. Bob. Digital Library of Georgia. December 16, 2008.
  3. Web site: Adult Education Certified Literate Community Program. Technical College System of Georgia.
  4. Web site: A Brief History of HOPE. Lee. Jennifer. GBPI. July 16, 2021.
  5. Web site: HOPE & Zell Miller Scholarships. University of Georgia.
  6. Web site: Shirley Miller Scholarship. Georgia Tech.
  7. Web site: Spring 2015 Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail & Pocket Falls. Solo. Dana. Cumberland Gal. March 28, 2015.