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About the Buttons...
After retiring from college teaching I created abstract art on my computer and even won a prize for it. But it wasn't what I really wanted to do. Soon my life-long obsession with politics compelled me to design political buttons. Too, I think creating the messages on buttons is a teaching device, a sort of compensation for no longer being in the classroom.
About Keith Shirey...
During recent months Shirey has provided designs and merchandise for several congressional campaigns and the California State Democratic Party and the L.A. County Central Committee. He is currently supplying merchandise to the campaign, and selling it on the commercial web site for John Edwards for President.
 Born: Los Angeles Calif. 12/22/33
Grandson of Frank Stiles, founder city of South El Monte, 6 times mayor. Big influence on Keith's life. Walked precincts with him against Richard Nixon when he was 11 years old.
Worked as janitor for El Monte Chamber of Commerce 7th and 8th grades, Feed Mill Hand, Wharehouseman, laborer for LA County Fire Prevention Bureau, Foreman, LACFDB where received commendation from LA County Fire Captain for leading crew to save houses from fire, on docks of Buick Oldsmosbile, Pontiac South Gate, laborer tile factory, motor messenger for Citizens Bank, LA, worked way through college with some help from parents. Started working at grandfather's feed store at age of 9.
Education: El Monte Union High School, University of Southern California, B.A., M.A. Political Science. Additional graduate work in political science and philosophy, Claremont Graduate School.
Writing: The Case Against Barry Goldwater, Brewster Publications 1964, 80,000 copies sold. Various articles published in the Pasadena Star News and San Gabriel Valley Star News. Series of articles published in Geothermal News, 1968.
Career: Teacher of Social Studies, Edgewood High School, West Covina, CA 1959-1965. Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, Citrus Community College, Glendora Ca. 1965-1999. During teaching career at Citrus won numerous awards: Voted most popular teacher, received Honorary Society Alpha Gamma Sigma award for teacher "most knowledgeable of any teacher on campus" Golden Apple Award, etc. Major accomplishment "Who's Who Among American Teachers" because it is students who engineer this award.
Professional Activities: Founder of first teacher's labor union in East San Gabriel valley for the American Federation of Teachers. Labor organizer for the A.F.T. President Mt. San Antonio Federation of Teachers. California college Association Spokesman for California higher education to Joint committee on Educational Reform of California Legislature, 1986 ,1987. President, Academic Senate Citrus College. President, CTA Local Teachers Union, Citrus College. Chief contract negotiator for union.
Political Social Justice Activities: Lifelong Democrat. Co-founder La Puente-West Covina Human Relations Council for civil rights, 1961. Voted onto Steering Committee, West Coast Professors for Peace, Won primary election for U.S. House of Representatives in 1968 as anti Viet-Nam "peace candidate" against a well-financed opponent who was supported by the local democratic establishment Member of Democratic State Central Committee for State of California., member of Democratic State Central Committee Speaker's Bureau. Debated against such opponents as National Chairman of Youth For Nixon. Chairman, East San Gabriel Valley McCarthy for President Campaign, 1968. Member, Interfaith Center to Reverse The Arms Race, All Saints Church, Pasadena. Social Concerns Chairman, Neighborhood Church, Pasadena, 1987. Outreach Chairman, Church of Our Savior San Marino, 1991. Member of the Vestry. Arrested for protesting INS policies regarding refugees from El Salvador. In jail with Kris Kristofferson and Jackson Brown, numerous clergy and fellow citizens.
Artworks: Became interested in creating artworks on computer in 1998. In 1999 won competition sponsored by the Pasadena Symphony Association to create artworks for fundraising purposes. Art works on display and sold at concerts. He has created abstract artworks which hang in the homes of several prominent Pasadena homes and businesses.
In 2000 to present, created political buttons, some with business partner, Matt Holland, which frequently have a satirical bent. The pins are all progressive in tone. Shirey has probably sold more progressive political buttons than anyone in the country. Today, some of his buttons are use for fundraising by the National Women;s Political Caucus of the national Democractic Party, Because of his political perspective Shirey refuses requests to create buttons for Republican and/or conservative causes. During the later part of 2000 and through May of 2001, sold over $15,000 of these pinbacks, mostly on e-Bay and his website. Shirey's pinback business has been called "The Best In LA" by the L.A. Weekly, has been praised in the L.A. Business Journal, and has been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, the Dow Jones News Service and his political pinbacks have been touted on numerous progressive web sites.
In 2003, Shirey provided all materials for the 2004 Presidential campaign of Dennis Kucinich. Shirey also ran Kucinich's Merchandise Web Site and, from his warehouse, shipped tote bags, coffee mugs, t-shirts, hats and other campaign materials which Shirey provided to the campaign. Because all campaign materials sold were an the basis of "in-kind contribution," he generated thousands of dollars for the Kucinich run.
Because of his background as a labor organizer, Shirey will only sell union made merchandise.
More recently, Shirey, who is a published author, is writing a book, "How To Argue With A Republican." As always, he and his partner Matt Holland are designing new campaign materials. Shirey recently snagged the account of Damon Wayans, of the famous Wayans Brothers, designing and providing t-shirts for Damon's comedy tour.
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