Shirley Cothran

Shirley Cothran

Ph.D

TX, US
Former Miss. America, Author, Professional Speaker

Dr. Shirley Cothran Barret was born and reared in Denton, Texas. Her parents, both Christians, introduced Shirley to her church family, whom she believes contributed greatly to making her the person she is today.

Shirley's childhood was far from what many would consider the typical future Miss America upbringing. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father was a local policeman. The family's modest lifestyle left little for extra advantages. However, being showered with approval and encouragement for her various efforts, Shirley rarely felt deprived.

Always viewed as a shy and quiet young girl, Shirley's venturing into the pageant arena surprised many people, including herself. But the rewards of competition and winning scholarship money persuaded Shirley to continue in pageants. No one was more surprised than Shirley when she proceeded to win on the local, state, and national levels of competition. God certainly had something in store for Shirley's life.

With a crown placed upon her head, Shirley's speaking career began! Having no previous experience, Shirley relied on her wits, life experiences, and constant prayer. Many people were curious as to what a Miss America would have to say to them!

Choosing a life between what the world holds in high esteem and how one feels the Lord's directing can be very confusing. Does one listen to people who promise Hollywood stars and millions in the bank, or does one listen to the Holy Spirit wooing us back into the fold? Shirley tried the glamorous upscale New York scene....for three days.... then returned to her hometown where she has never looked back with regret.

Shirley has an earned doctorate degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Counseling, which has been put to great use as she and her husband, Richard, raised their four children.

With humor and candor, Shirley has a wealth of stories and experiences that have equipped her to share with churches, women's organizations, youth groups, and keynoting banquets. "I have prayed that God might allow me to use the title of Miss America as a springboard for His glory."

Having five titles: Miss America 1975, Mrs. Richard Barret, Dr. Shirley Cothran Barret, and Mother, and Grandmother, Shirley remains busy speaking to various groups around the United States.

Shirley speaks on various topics including the following:

  • Women's Ministry
  • Women's Events
  • Motivational Events
  • Spouse Events
  • Educational Events
  • Personal Growth
  • Collegiate Commencement and Lecture Series

Dr. Shirley Cothran Barret was born and reared in Denton, Texas. Her parents, both Christians, introduced Shirley to her church family, whom she believes contributed greatly to making her the person she is today.

Shirley's childhood was far from what many would consider the typical future Miss America upbringing. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father was a local policeman. The family's modest lifestyle left little for extra advantages. However, being showered with approval and encouragement for her various efforts, Shirley rarely felt deprived.

Always viewed as a shy and quiet young girl, Shirley's venturing into the pageant arena surprised many people, including herself. But the rewards of competition and winning scholarship money persuaded Shirley to continue in pageants. No one was more surprised than Shirley when she proceeded to win on the local, state, and national levels of competition. God certainly had something in store for Shirley's life.

With a crown placed upon her head, Shirley's speaking career began! Having no previous experience, Shirley relied on her wits, life experiences, and constant prayer. Many people were curious as to what a Miss America would have to say to them!

Choosing a life between what the world holds in high esteem and how one feels the Lord's directing can be very confusing. Does one listen to people who promise Hollywood stars and millions in the bank, or does one listen to the Holy Spirit wooing us back into the fold? Shirley tried the glamorous upscale New York scene....for three days.... then returned to her hometown where she has never looked back with regret.

Shirley has an earned doctorate degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Counseling, which has been put to great use as she and her husband, Richard, raised their four children.

With humor and candor, Shirley has a wealth of stories and experiences that have equipped her to share with churches, women's organizations, youth groups, and keynoting banquets. "I have prayed that God might allow me to use the title of Miss America as a springboard for His glory."

Having five titles: Miss America 1975, Mrs. Richard Barret, Dr. Shirley Cothran Barret, and Mother, and Grandmother, Shirley remains busy speaking to various groups around the United States.

Shirley speaks on various topics including the following:

  • Women's Ministry
  • Women's Events
  • Motivational Events
  • Spouse Events
  • Educational Events
  • Personal Growth
  • Collegiate Commencement and Lecture Series

FROM MISCELLANEOUS TO MISS AMERICA

This humorous story of a small town girl who makes good is a consistent audience favorite. Shirley was a quiet, introverted young girl who suddenly awakened to the fact that she could BE SOMEBODY!! This prevalent philosophy of life that is so popular in today's society sounds so right, but does not always equate happiness and success. Shirley takes her own life journey of being a wife, mother, and professional woman and skids to a jolting realization! What makes most of us happy is the...
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

BACK TO THE BASICS IS MORE THAN JUST BOILING WATER

Being a woman in this new millennium is not a simple task for today's busy wife, mother, and career woman. In this presentation, which is directed for women who are in the throngs of managing a home and family, the familiar passage of Titus 2:3-5 is examined phrase by phrase to help refocus the guidelines by which Christian women are to live. The accelerated pace of life, demands on the modern woman, and the Christian ethics by which we all strive to adhere, sometimes seem impossible. Shirley...
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

HOW TO GET YOUR HUSBAND TO TREAT YOU LIKE A QUEEN

This presentation examines the life and accomplishments of Queen Esther. We all want to be treated special and enjoy feeling cherished. But just how do we accomplish such a feat? Shirley will look at what one woman did to attain such honor. Do our actions and words honor our husbands, or do we attack his position in our lives with our tongue and deeds? Learn to esteem the man in your life for who he is, and enjoy being treated like a queen!
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

WALKING THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW IN A BRIGHT RED DRESS

For mothers and daughters, teens, or women, we all need to be aware that people are looking at us as an example of a Christian. Do we meet the criteria with flag-waving success, or do we need to be more cognizant of our appearance, words, actions, and reactions. Shirley explores the areas of dress, speech, countenance, and reputation in seeing how you might improve your walk on the straight and narrow path.  This area of review is especially appropriate for women's groups,...
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

THE LASTING INFLUENCE OF A GODLY MOTHER

Shirley's mother was not only her mentor, best friend, advisor, confidant, she was also the example of her life. Frankie Cothran lived with Shirley and her family the last five months of her life as she battled with cancer. When she gasped her last breath and closed her eyes for the final time, Shirley realized that her mother had not felt the sting of death, but was triumphantly standing before the Lord Jesus Christ. Since that time, Shirley realized that her mother bequeathed her many...
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

JOY IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

In a rushed world that demands the very best of us ALL THE TIME, a focus on the important priorities in life can sometimes become blurred. From a perspective of humor and numerous examples, Shirley offers ten ways that we can quickly lose the joy in our lives and be miserable. But with a deliberate effort of concentrating on blessings rather than disillusionment, we come to understand that joyfulness is a choice. The really happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery even when one has...
Audience ActivityEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

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