Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler

Dr. Carey-Shuler has been a powerful force for positive change in South Florida for decades. She is a trailblazer who has paved the way for many successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Her efforts have improved the quality of life for thousands of South Floridians.

Dr. Carey-Shuler’s life is founded on a spirit of generosity. Her unselfish character is only overshadowed by her loving spirit and acceptance of others. She considers her ability to empower and inspire others as her greatest accomplishment. Regarding her passion for helping young people she says, “I want to exude my passion so that they will have the same passion to give back and help other young people.”

Dr. Carey-Shuler was first appointed to the Miami Dade County Board of Commissioners in December of 1979. She made a major impact through her progressive policies and legislative decisions. She initiated the groundbreaking legislation to create Affirmative Action and set-aside programs in Miami-Dade County which are credited with creating more jobs and opportunities for minorities and women than any other legislation in the county’s history. She also created the 15 miles per hour school zone in Dade County and was later adopted by the rest of the State of Florida. She made history in 2002 when she was selected as the first African American woman to serve as chairperson of the Miami Dade County Commission. It was during this time period that she was lauded by the Miami Herald and several major publications and organizations as being the most effective, powerful and influential woman in Miami-Dade County. After moving to Palm Beach County in 2007, she continued her passion for public service by serving on the Palm Beach State College Foundation. Currently, she serves on five other foundations and many other organizations in Palm Beach County.

Dr. Carey-Shuler has never shied away from an opportunity to help others and promote equality without regard to the popularity of her decisions. In 1990, she was one of the hosts of an event where the late South African President Nelson Mandela delivered a speech upon his release after being unjustly imprisoned for 27 years. The event was locally controversial but Dr. Carey-Shuler was among a small group of elected officials who publicly supported President Mandela’s importance to the international campaign for human rights. Her courage and vision earned the respect and admiration of her constituents and was a large part of the reason she was re-elected several times. In 2006, she resigned from politics due to the illness, and subsequent death, of her beloved husband and mother.

Since retiring from elected office in 2006, Dr. Carey-Shuler has managed successfully the family business, Shuler’s Memorial Chapel, Inc in Palm Beach County. Furthermore, she has continued her passion to mentor and assist financially young people who are trying to improve their life through post-secondary education. She currently supports six (6) college students.

Dr. Carey-Shuler has an impressive educational resume of her own. Her deeply-rooted regard for education is reflected in her own pursuits: Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Florida A & M University, Master of Science in Communications from Ohio State University, a Specialist Degree in Guidance from the University of Miami, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Florida. Her passion for education also led her to pursue a career with Miami Dade County Public Schools. During her tenure, she was well-regarded as an administrator. She was also credited with inspiring and advancing the careers of dozens of educators as an Assistant Superintendent of Miami Dade County Public Schools.

For her years of tireless and selfless service, Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler has been honored by over 800 organizations, such as the Urban League, the NAACP, the Martin Luther King Peace Foundation, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami Dade College, Neighbors and Neighbors Association (NANA), Early Childhood Association, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, and Carfour Supportive Housing, an entity that named a building in her honor (Barbara Carey-Shuler Manor), a $30 million apartment complex for low-income individuals, homeless families, and veterans.

Mr. Speaker, in observance of Women’s History Month, I urge my colleagues and all Americans to please join me in recognizing a great woman, a great public servant, a great business person, a great mother, and a great American, Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler for her indelible contribution to our community and our nation.

Mr. Speaker, these remarks will be entered into the Official Congressional Record. They will then be permanently placed in the Library of Congress.