Shirley Chilton

Dr. Shirley R. Chilton (April 3, 1923 – June 30, 2013) was a California businessperson who was the first woman to chair a statewide chamber of commerce when she became the chairwoman of the California Chamber of Commerce in 1982 and later served as California's Secretary of State and Consumer Services, serving under Governor George Deukmejian from 1983 to 1991. and later in life to her former high school sweetheart, Raymond O'Dell. She had three sons. By 1965, she was the first woman to be elected as an equity holder of the firm. and was regularly speaking on investment topics around the country to audiences of both men and women interested in learning more about investing. Through the National Development Council, Chilton worked to increase the flow of capital for investment, jobs and community development across the country. Chilton was particularly interested in bringing economic education to young people and worked closely with educators in California to develop curricula. Additionally, she co-wrote a series of children's books on the subject, Economics for Young People that included the titles Everyone Has Important Jobs To Do, How People Learned To Move About, How Things Are Made, and Where Things Come From. In this capacity, she oversaw numerous state departments, including the California Franchise Tax Board, CalPERS, and CalSTRS. and served a two-year term on the board.

Later activities

While still Secretary of State and Consumer Services, Chilton was elected to the board of directors of Blue Shield of California. She continued to hold this position while serving on the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. She also worked as an arbitrator, hearing disputes for the National Association of Securities Dealers, New York Stock Exchange, Ford Motor Company, and the American Arbitration Association. In her retirement, Chilton continued teaching economics and mediation and remained active in the California Republican Party and Rotary International.