Rosalyn Shropshire-West

Rosalynn Shropshire-West is a life resident of Indianapolis, attended local elementary schools, and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. She graduated with distinction from Indiana University, Indianapolis campus, and holds a B.A. degree in United States History. She was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Sorority and Golden Key International Honor Society. She was also awarded the IUPUI History Department Achievement Award. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Global Evangelical Christian College & Seminary.

Roz has been married to Henry West for 53 years; they have four adult children; and ten grandchildren. She is a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and has responsibilities as the Christian Education Director and Adult Sunday School Teacher.  She is also the Dean of their Dunamis Christian Education Conference. Roz was also the author of the Black History Essays that appeared in the Church Bulletin every week for seven years. Those essays became the foundation of her book, “Black Vignettes: Essays in African American History & Culture,” published in January 2010. In 2023, she co-authored a book with her pastor, “Playing the Numbers: Musing with Pastor.” It is a compilation of Pastoral Anniversary tributes for the past 15 years.

Since retiring in 1999, Rosalynn spends much of her time engaged in volunteer activities. She is a life member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Indianapolis Chapter, a national community service and advocacy organization. As a previous President of the Indianapolis Section, she participates in all NCNW activities and programs. While serving as president, she entered community partnerships on behalf of NCNW to effect positive change in the Indianapolis community. She is a religious studies instructor for the Union District Certificate of Progress Program.  

Rosalynn was also a volunteer tutor for “Indy Reads,” an adult literacy program sponsored by the Indianapolis – Marion County Public Library. For 10 years she served on the Board of Directors of Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI); serving as the Board Chairperson for four years. She served on the Board of Directors of “Not To Believers Like Us” (N2BLU), an advocacy against domestic violence. She is a charter member of the IUPUI- Joseph Taylor Branch of the “Association for the Study of African American Life and History” (ASALH), an organization founded in 1915 by noted historian, Carter G. Woodson. And she was the Treasurer for the Martindale-Brightwood Health Net Board. Rosalynn was also a contributor to the Indianapolis-based monthly, periodical, POWER Magazine International. Her black history articles appeared under the By-line, “Soul Food.” The magazine provided her the opportunity to research, write, and share interesting cultural and historical facts with a wide readership.