Helen Beryl Sher (Shopmaker) enrolled at the University of Illinois after graduating from University City High School in St. Louis, Missouri. At Illinois, she became a member of Phi Sigma Sigma as well as the French and Spanish honoraries, Pi Delta Phi and Sigma Delta Pi, respectively. A Phi Beta Kappa, she was salutatorian of the class of 1945. She also earned a Master’s degree from Illinois and taught at Illinois until her marriage.
On November 9, 1947, she married Captain Allen B. Shopmaker, who had earned his veterinary degree at Kansas State University. After he finished his Army service, the couple started a veterinary clinic in Clayton, Missouri.
Active in community activities, she served as President of the St. Louis chapter of AAUW from 1957-59. Shopmaker also served on the Missouri AAUW state board. St. Louis’ Springboard to Learning was a particular favorite and she served on its Board of Directors. For more than 25 years, the couple taught English as a second language at the International Institute. They traveled extensively with Japan being one of their favorite places.
The Shoemakers endowed a scholarship at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. The couple collected political buttons and memorabilia. The items were given to the University of Missouri, St. Louis and they are on permanent display in UMSL’s Mercantile Library. The collection is known as the Dr. Allen B. and Helen S. Shopmaker Political Print Gallery. UMSL awarded Helen Sher Shopmaker an honorary doctorate.
Helen Sher Shopmaker with a 2000 Florida voting booth, part of the Shopmaker’s collection. Photo courtesy of UMSL
Helen Sher Shopmaker died in December 2020 at the age of 97.
