Emily Lewis Baird Sheffield earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Winthrop College in 1948. The Clover, South Carolina native was President of the Winthrop Athletic Association and one of only twelve students selected to be a member of the Senior Order. During her senior year she was elected to Who's Who in Colleges and Universities and was voted one of the four best athletes on the Winthrop campus along with another Distinguished Alumni, Polly Wylie.
After her graduation from Winthrop, Emily Baird married Benjamin Sheffield and raised three children. She is now the proud grandmother of three grandchildren. Mrs. Sheffield is living proof that there is life after childrearing. In 1976, she organized Prime Time 5-0 in LaGrange, Georgia. The intent of Prime Time 5-0 was to have senior women participate in a regular exercise program at no charge. Her work in health and fitness for LaGrange was acknowledged in February of 2003, when she was inducted into the "Hall of Fame" by the Troup County Park and Recreation Department.
In all her spare time, Emily Sheffield found time to be crowned Ms. Senior Georgia, to be first runner-up for Ms. Senior America, to be second runner-up in Ms. National Senior Citizen in 1997, and to be named Ms. National Senior Citizen in May of 2000. She has been named a Gracious Lady of Georgia and is a Senior Ambassador for the City of LaGrange.
If you aren't worn out just thinking about her pace, she has also won numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals in state, national, and international senior competitions in bowling, swimming, and race walking. Emily Lewis Baird Sheffield has spent a lifetime advocating for fitness and wellness.