Biography

About Shelley

Shelley Mountjoy has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia since birth.  In 2003, Shelley sustained a spinal cord injury and has since used a wheelchair for mobility.

On wheels, Shelley earned an AAS in Automotive Technology with a specialization in Emissions from Northern Virginia Community College, a BIS with a concentration in Automotive Technology Instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a MS in Telecommunications from George Mason University (GMU).  She holds ASE Certifications in Automotive Electrical Systems and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC).

Shelley is currently an Information Technology professor and is pursuing further post-graduate studies.  Continuing a lifelong interest in animal welfare, Shelley current shares her home with a two rescues: Sarah, a hyper-vocalizing Bengal cat, and Junior, an overly affectionate standard Poodle.

Atheist Activism

Shelley became involved in the secular movement in 2005 through the Rational Response Squad; she is currently a moderator of the site.  In 2007, she founded the Secular Student Alliance (GMU), and served as the group’s President for five years.  Since 2008, she has served as Vice President of Virginia Freethought Renaissance (VFR). VFR seeks to educate the public on matters related to a non-theist life stance, advocate for the Constitutional principle of separation of church and state, and is a statewide communication effort to promote events of various associate member organizations.

Shelley has organized over 400 educational, activist, community service, and social events through a variety of organizations.  She was formerly the Assistant Organizer of Gay Atheists of Washington DC (GAWD).  In July of 2009, Shelley co-founded District of Columbia Atheists, Inc. (DCA) with the synergistic talents of two close friends; she is currently a President of the organization.  DCA is organized as a representative democracy and is the first and only formal organization for atheists in the Nation's Capital. Most recently, during 2010 Shelley reestablished the Northern Virginia Chapter of Washington Area Secular Humanists; once the group was active again, Shelley stepped down from Chapter Coordinator to focus on building WASH’s presence in Central Virginia.  She is the founder and Organizer of Drinking Skeptically - Richmond.  Shelley is also the Coordinator of the Washington DC Coalition of Reason.

Locally, Shelley is best known in the DC area as the Organizer of Capital Beltway Atheists - an 800+ member social atheist community. Holding this position since July of 2008, Shelley has tripled activity, increased membership 110%, and helped to diversify and integrate philanthropy into existing events.

Nationally, Shelley is on the advisory board of Atheist Nexus, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Secular Student Alliance in May of 2009, and was elected to the Board of Directors of Atheist Alliance of America (AAA) in 2010.  She also currently serves as Secretary of AAA’s Board.  In June 2011, Shelley was also elected as Secretary of Atheist Alliance International (AAI).