We will celebrate our beloved ancestor, Gilda Sherrod-Ali,Esq. She was born in Utica,NY on October 23,1950, to the late Felix Early Sherrod and Thelma (Washington) Sherrod. She was the third of nine children from their union. The family moved to Buffalo, NY when she was five years old.In high school, Gilda received a Martin Luther King, Jr., scholarship and attended Buffalo State College now known as State University of New York (SUNY Buffalo), majoring in education. In college, Gilda became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. After receiving her bachelor's degree in education, Gilda pursued her master's degree in education from Cheyney State University inPennsylvania, following graduation, Gilda became a teacher in the Philadelphia Public School System where she taught high school English. Gilda attended Rutger's University Law School in Camden, NJ and received her Juris Doctorate.Gilda passed the Pennsylvania Bar examination and began practicing law in the city of Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia, Gilda founded her own theatre company called Theatre in the Living Room where they performed plays in Philadelphia playhouses. Gilda was also a lover of Jazz and often hosted jazz shows in Philadelphia. Gilda was a dear friend to the founder of Roots Public Charter School, Dr. Bernida Thompson. She served as the school’s attorney for many years leading up to her transition from labor to reward. She will truly be missed!