Michelle M. Deal Winfield

Michelle M. Deal Winfield, known to friends and community members as “Shelley,” is a compassionate civic leader who has devoted her career and personal life to strengthening programs that help children learn and flourish.

Ms. Winfield dedicated the majority of her career to the New York City public schools, spending 15 years as the Supervisor of Special Education at Robert Wagner Middle School in Manhattan. She also volunteered for 27 years with the National Dance Institute and spent three years as Vice President ofthe Sophie Gerson Healthy Youth Foundation, a leading organization that provides children with free after-school activities and summer camps. Throughout her career, Ms. Winfield has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to children, fighting to ensure children’s access to music, dance and athletic activities. She has rooted herself in the belief that all children should be treated with respect.

Known for her infectious smile and genuine warmth, Ms. Winfield has selflessly devoted herself to helping others and bolstering support for vital local institutions. Recently, Ms. Winfield led an effort to celebrate the centennial of the Children’s Court in Manhattan. She spearheaded the street co-naming of East 22nd Street with “Children’s Court,” to honor the work of judges, social workers, doctors, court officers and other personnel who support our youth.

Ms. Winfield has received a number of prestigious recognitions, including the NAACP Distinguished Service Award, the New York City Health + Hospitals Marjorie Matthews Award for activism, and the Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club Humanitarian Award. She is recognized by community leaders for her selfless devotion to community service and her tireless advocacy for underserved groups.

Ms. Winfield earned her undergraduate degree in home economics from Howard University and two Masters’ Degrees from Fordham University in Educational Administration and from Adelphi University in Special Education.

Ms. Winfield and her husband, Claude, have been married since 1974. They are the proud parents of two children, Marie and Michael, their son-in-law Konrad Pust, and are loving grandparents to Sophie and Koemi.