EDITORIAL

A voice for the voiceless

Posted 9/27/16

Rhode Island has lost a true voice for the voiceless. Henry Shelton, a storied activist in the fights against poverty and for social justice, died last week at his home in Cranston's Edgewood section. He was 86. Born into a working-class Central Falls

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EDITORIAL

A voice for the voiceless

Posted

Rhode Island has lost a true voice for the voiceless.

Henry Shelton, a storied activist in the fights against poverty and for social justice, died last week at his home in Cranston’s Edgewood section. He was 86.

Born into a working-class Central Falls family, Shelton went on to join the priesthood. He later left the clergy and married Carol Reagan, and the couple had five children and six grandchildren.

Shelton leaves a profound legacy. In 1981, he founded the Pawtucket-based George Wiley Center, a grassroots organization focused on affecting positive change and aiding those in poverty – or, as its mission statement reads, building “a community that addresses human needs and redresses injustices.”

While the center continues its good works, the achievement for which most will remember Shelton will likely be a legislative act that bears his name.

Despite having suffered strokes, Shelton continued to lobby lawmakers for action on behalf of those in poverty struggling to pay electric and heating bills. In 2011, those efforts led to the passage and signing of The Henry Shelton Act, which created a new fund to help low-income families afford utility bills and established a means through which those who fall behind on payments may catch up without having service discontinued. It also protects the most vulnerable in our communities – seniors, the disabled, those battling serious illness – from having their electricity or gas shut off.

As news of Shelton’s passing spread, state leaders shared their memories of the man and put his life’s work into context.

“Henry Shelton really put the word active into activism,” U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said. “He was caring, courageous, and passionate about helping working families and those who were less fortunate.  Henry inspired so many who will strive to continue his legacy.”

“Rhode Island has lost one of its greatest advocates for the poor and social justice,” Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said. “With the founding of the George Wiley Center, Henry Shelton set out to make an impact on his community by helping those in need. What he created was much more. He created a social movement and shaped important public policy in our state … while Henry is no longer physically with us, his legacy and spirit will live on through the tens of thousands of people he helped.”

We extend our condolences to Shelton’s family and loved ones, and to all those whose lives he touched over the decades. His spirit and his work will live on.

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