Shirley Childress Saxton

Shirley Childress Saxton is an African-American American Sign Language instructor and interpreter. Since 1980, she has performed with Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Early life and education

Shirley Childress was born and reared in Washington, D.C. to deaf parents, Herbert and Thomasina Childress, making American Sign Language her first language. She has two sisters, Maxine Childress Brown and Dr. Khaula Murtadha Watts. Saxton holds a bachelor's degree in Deaf Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has done graduate work at the University of the District of Columbia.

Career

She began her practice of interpreting for the deaf at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.. Saxton is a certified interpreter and is a member of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She has taught introductory ASL classes and master workshops on interpreting music across the country.

Marriage and children

Shirley Childress Saxton is married to Pablo Saxton. She has two sons, Reginald and Deon.