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Vice mayor celebrates 90 years  

A shining star, a link to the chain of history, a fighter. Those are some of the words Berkeley officials, activists, and residents used to describe Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, as they celebrated her 90th birthday at the North Berkeley Senior Center Saturday. 

Re-elected seven times to the City Council, Shirek is reportedly the oldest elected official in California. But she is mostly known for her extraordinary commitment to social causes both locally and internationally. 

“She changed the life of so many people,” said U.S Representative Barbara Lee, D-Alameda, a special guest to the event and an old friend of Shirek’s. “Every time I get ready to cast a very tough vote I think ‘What would Maudelle do?’”