Elizabeth Horton Sheff Oral History

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Elizabeth Horton Sheff is a prominent civil rights advocate and former Hartford City Council member who has dedicated her life to fighting for educational equity, social justice, and community empowerment. Working alongside a coalition of parents and civil rights activists, in 1989 Horton Sheff became the lead plaintiff in the landmark Sheff v. O’Neill lawsuit, arguing that racial and economic segregation in Hartford-area public schools denied children their constitutional right to an equal education. The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in their favor in 1996, mandating the State to take corrective action. The case became a catalyst for education reform in Connecticut, leading to the development of magnet schools and open choice programs aimed at increasing diversity in schools. Beyond the courtroom, Horton Sheff has served in public office and collaborated with numerous community organizations to advocate for marginalized populations, and she co-chairs the Sheff Movement Coalition.