1976-1977年：福特总统当政时期，她担任国务院礼宾司司长，是美国历史上第一个任此要职的女性
1981-1987：Shirley is the Foreign Affairs Officer with the State Department under Ford, Member US Delegation on African Refugee Problems, Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Member of the UN Association, US Founding Member of the American Academy of Diplomacy
1977年4月来中国访问
1988年，出版自传《童星》
1989年，乔治·布什总统任命她为美国驻捷克斯洛伐克大使
现已安享晚年.
