Shirley Hall

Civic and business leader Shirley Robinson Hall was born on June 11, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to Alma Holley and Walter Robinson. She graduated from High School of Commerce in Detroit before she received her B.A. degree in mass communications and journalism from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1974. She also earned a corporate executive institute certificate from Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1994.

In 1965, Hall began her political career working in the office of U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. From 1967 to 1968, she served in the vice-presidential office of Hubert Humphrey. The following year, she became an administrative assistant in the office of U.S. Congressman James Scheuer. By 1970, Hall was hired as a field representative for the Michigan Democratic Party, and she went on to represent Michigan at the Democratic National Committee from 1972 to 1988. In 1975, Hall transitioned into the corporate sector, joining Michigan Consolidated Gas Company as a manager of community relations. Her public service continued when, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed her as deputy director of 1980 census recruitment for the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1983, she worked as director of special grants for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; and in 1997, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve as a U.S. Public Delegate to the United Nations.

Hall was the recipient of the Appreciation of Service Award from the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in 2013.

Hall held many board positions throughout her career. She served as chair of the Washington Convention Center Board of Directors from 1991 to 1995. From 1995 to 2013, she was a member of the board of directors for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. She also served on the board of directors for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from 2010 to 2014. Hall was also a member of the Public Policy Institute Board of Visitors at Duke University, the board of directors for the Community Foundation of Greater Washington, and the board of directors for the Providence Health Foundation. She served on the board of advisors for Riggs Bank.

Hall and her husband, Elliot S. Hall, reside in New York, New York. They have one child named Tiffany.

Shirley Robinson Hall was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on August 19, 2025 and August 24, 2025.