Shirley is a compassionate philanthropist. She established the Shirley Paden and Melvin Bernstein Scholarship Fund (in partnership with her late husband, Melvin Bernstein) and works directly with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York to support knitwear and design students.

Her remarkable five-year pledge of $1 million to Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU)––her alma mater––demonstrates her deep dedication to education, especially for first-generation college students. This generosity directly supports scholarships, the OWU Bridge Program (a three-week residential launch experience for incoming students), and other initiatives that aim to close access gaps.

With a generous spirit, Shirley also extends her support beyond just these two universities: she helps students at other institutions when possible, providing scholarships, covering unexpected costs, and even contributing toward student-loan relief.

Her charitable efforts are as unique and tailored as her handcrafted designs—fostering a legacy of hope, inclusivity, and creative empowerment for deserving scholars.

To learn more about Shirley’s philanthropic initiatives or to inquire about partnership opportunities, contact her here.