Biography
We've been told since out first childhood disappointment that life isn't fair. Dr. Philip Shapiro, a prominent Bay Area Psychiatrist and Human Rights activist for over a quarter of a century, lived his life as if to say "not if I have anything to do with it." Through his involvement with groups such as the Medial Committee for Human Rights, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the California Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects, and the Black Panther Party (among others) Dr. Shapiro fought for the common man, and for those who could not fight themselves. Beginning in the Late 60's with the MCHR's outspoken protests of America's involvement in Vietnam, it was apparent that Dr. Shapiro was a man who acted on what he believed. On top of his daytime employment as a respected psychiatrist at San Francisco's Mt. Zion hospital, Dr. Shapiro was a tireless worker who organized meetings, speeches, protest marches, and charity functions to raise public awareness of what he felt was an extremely inhumane course of action be taken by our Government. Through his connections in the MCHR, Dr. Shapiro was attracted to other causes which he felt could use his assistance- everything from subsidized hospitals in the ghettos of Oakland (in collaboration with the Black Panther Party) to anti-nuclear proliferation to the rights of those in prison. He struggled to ensure that every man, regardless of race, financial status or beliefs, was treated as a man. Dr. Shapiro passed away in 1995, leaving behind him lifetime of accomplishments, friends, and admirers.
From the guide to the Shapiro, Phillip. Papers, ca. 1960-1985, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)
