Shirley Weber was elected in November of 2012 to represent California's 79th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Chula Vista, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City and a part of San Diego.

Born to sharecroppers of Hope, Arkansas, Shirley Weber has lived in California since the age of 3. She attended UCLA, where she received her BA, MA and PhD by the age of 26. Prior to receiving her doctorate, she became a professor at San Diego State University (SDSU) at the age of 23. Dr. Weber also taught at California State University at Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College before coming to SDSU.

Dr. Weber has lived in the 79th Assembly District for over 30 years. Her children attended public school in the district and she was elected to the school board. As a board member, and subsequent board president, she became known for her advocacy for closing the achievement gap and a higher standard of excellence for all children.

From 2005-2006, Dr. Weber hosted a popular weekly radio program weekly entitled, "It's a New Day with Dr. Shirley Weber," on KURS AM 1040. The program was broadcast live throughout San Diego and internationally over the internet. In 2006, she aired her program live from Johannesburg, South Africa, sharing her students' perspectives and those of local South Africans. Dr. Weber has lectured throughout the United States, Caribbean and Africa.

Prior to being elected to the Assembly, she served as the mayor's appointee and Chair on the Citizens' Equal Opportunity Commission. Dr. Weber has also served on the Board of the NAACP, YWCA, YMCA Scholarship Committee, Battered Women Services, United Way, San Diego Consortium and Private Industry Council, and many more.

Dr. Weber is the mother of two children and the widow of the late Honorable Daniel Weber, a California state judge.