Potomac West in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Shirley N. Tyler

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 19, 2025

1. Shirley N. Tyler Marker

Inscription.

Shirley N. Tyler. . , Shirley N. Tyler was a civil rights leader, community activist, educator, school administrator, advisor, collaborator, mentor, role model and public official. The Tyler family moved to Alexandria in 1965 as the first African American homeowners in Arlandria. Shrirley soon became a leader with the Arlandria (Hume Springs) Citizens Association. She and other community leaders fought tirelessly to eliminate redlining, neglectful absentee landlords, rodent infestations, drug dealing, and other issues that decreased property values and negatively impacted quality of life throughout the community. After several major floods devastated Arlandria, she led the Community efforts to approve the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Four Mile Run Flood Control Project., Shirley grew up in Salem, Massachusetts and graduated from Simmons College. She served as Executive Secretary of the National Student Association from 1951-51. In 1953, she married Richard J. Tyler, United States Marine Corps (USMC), who was active in the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) while their two children, both graduates of TC Williams High School, attended and helped integrate the Alexandria public schools., Shirley taught at Grace Episcopal School beginning in 1969. As Headmistress (1975-1989), she created a scholarship program to the support enrollment of lower income children. In 1973, she was appointed to the Alexandria City School Board, serving as the first African American female chair in 1980. She also served on several public boards at the local and state levels. Shirley was dedicated to improving racial harmony, fostering academic excellence, and to achieving socio-economic parity for all through her community service activities., After Robin Gibson was muredered in the 7-11 (now Freedom Way Baptist Church) on May 29, 1970, Shirley worked with a diverse group of community, city, and civil rights leaders to quell the resulting property destruction and school disruptions which plagued racially divided Alexandria. The collaborative and consensus building process led to the K6-2-2-2 integration of the public schools, improved racial harmony, and unified Alexandria as told in the movie, "Remember the Titans"., Shirley N. Tyler remained ethical, open-minded, and committed to racial unity throughout her life. She was named a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2014.

Shirley N. Tyler was a civil rights leader, community activist, educator, school administrator, advisor, collaborator, mentor, role model and public official. The Tyler family moved to Alexandria in 1965 as the first African American homeowners in Arlandria. Shrirley soon became a leader with the Arlandria (Hume Springs) Citizens Association. She and other community leaders fought tirelessly to eliminate redlining, neglectful absentee landlords, rodent infestations, drug dealing, and other issues that decreased property values and negatively impacted quality of life throughout the community. After several major floods devastated Arlandria, she led the Community efforts to approve the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Four Mile Run Flood Control Project.

Shirley grew up in Salem, Massachusetts and graduated from Simmons College. She served as Executive Secretary of the National Student Association from 1951-51. In 1953, she married Richard J. Tyler, United States Marine Corps (USMC), who was active in the Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) while their two children, both graduates of TC Williams High School,

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attended and helped integrate the Alexandria public schools.

Shirley taught at Grace Episcopal School beginning in 1969. As Headmistress (1975-1989), she created a scholarship program to the support enrollment of lower income children. In 1973, she was appointed to the Alexandria City School Board, serving as the first African American female chair in 1980. She also served on several public boards at the local and state levels. Shirley was dedicated to improving racial harmony, fostering academic excellence, and to achieving socio-economic parity for all through her community service activities.

After Robin Gibson was muredered in the 7-11 (now Freedom Way Baptist Church) on May 29, 1970, Shirley worked with a diverse group of community, city, and civil rights leaders to quell the resulting property destruction and school disruptions which plagued racially divided Alexandria. The collaborative and consensus building process led to the K6-2-2-2 integration of the public schools, improved racial harmony, and unified Alexandria as told in the movie, "Remember the Titans".

Shirley N. Tyler remained ethical, open-minded, and committed to racial unity throughout her life. She was named a Living Legend of Alexandria in 2014.

Topics.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 19, 2025

2. Shirley N. Tyler Marker

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 29, 1970.

Location. 38° 50.187′ N, 77° 3.456′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Potomac West. It is at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and West Reed Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Commonwealth Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alexandria VA 22305, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History at Four Mile Run Park

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Ruby Tucker (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dr. Betty Louise Josephson King (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Triangle Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Four Mile Run Park Wetland (approx. 0.4 miles away); Four Mile Run and Flooding / The Restoration Project / I Live Here...Can You Find Me? / Public Art (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bluemont Line (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Columns of This Portico (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Also see . . . Alexandria Living Legends Write-Up about Ms. Tyler. (Submitted on June 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 108 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.