The Legacy of Shirley Raines – Beauty 2 The Streetz Founder and Community Hero

 By Yasmin Chaudhary — The Inkwell Times

Before we speak her name, before we recount her work, before we try to measure what she gave—we pause.

A moment of silence for Shirley Raines.

For the woman who stood where the world looked away.

For the hands that fed, the voice that affirmed, the love that never asked for permission.

For every life she touched, every dignity she restored, every soul that felt seen because she showed up.

Let this silence hold gratitude.

Let it hold grief.

Let it hold the echo of her presence—still felt, still guiding, still alive in the work she leaves behind.

Early Life and Inspiration

Shirley Raines’s path to community service was shaped by hardship and resilience. She grew up in Compton, California and endured many challenges from a young age . In 1990, Raines tragically lost her two-year-old son, an event that left her grief-stricken and struggling to find purpose for many years . She has spoken candidly about this period, describing herself as “a very broken woman” after her son’s death . Raines faced financial insecurity and nearly experienced homelessness herself while raising her family . Despite these personal trials, she eventually found a new mission born from her pain. In 2017, while volunteering with a church group to feed people on Skid Row, Raines felt a “deep connection” with the unhoused community and realized she had discovered, as she put it, a “purpose for [her] pain” . This spark of purpose – turning her personal tragedy into service for others – would soon blossom into the initiative known as Beauty 2 The Streetz.

Founding Beauty 2 The Streetz and Its Mission

After that first outreach experience, Raines noticed an unusual opportunity. She was helping serve meals on Skid Row when many of the homeless women began complimenting her bold makeup and hair, expressing interest in those beauty services . Recognizing that self-care could boost the spirits of people going through rough times, Shirley Raines started bringing beauty and grooming directly to the streets. “I learned quickly that the women I met were interested in hair and makeup,” she said of those early days . What began as impromptu sidewalk makeovers soon grew into a regular effort. Raines understood that “of course makeup is not going to take them off the streets, but it’s a small escape from this terrible reality they’re living in” . By offering someone a haircut, a fresh hair color, or a full face of makeup, she explained, “They look in the mirror and see something other than homelessness. It just brings them back to who they were.”  This philosophy – using beauty services to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy – became the cornerstone of her work.

In 2017, Shirley Raines informally launched Beauty 2 The Streetz as a grassroots project, and by 2019 she had registered it as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization . From the start, the mission of Beauty 2 The Streetz was “to provide self-worth restoring services like hair, makeup, hygiene, and food to those who need it most,” especially people living on the streets . Raines often said she was “serving at the pleasure of the homeless,” treating her unhoused clients like dignitaries rather than recipients of charity . Every week (typically on Saturdays), she and a team of volunteers would set up a kind of mobile salon and kitchen on Skid Row. They offered hot meals, drinks, and bags of essentials along with free haircuts, beard trims, hair coloring, makeup makeovers, showers, and clean clothing to anyone in need . All of this was done on the sidewalks of downtown Los Angeles’s notorious Skid Row, an area of about 50 blocks with one of the largest homeless populations in the U.S. 

Providing these services was no small undertaking. Raines was a mother of six and maintained a full-time job in medical billing for 26 years , yet she devoted virtually all her free time to the cause. Working out of her one-bedroom Long Beach apartment, she would personally cook 400 to 600 meals every week to distribute on Skid Row . She joked that the lack of sleep was worth it to fulfill her mission . “Monday through Friday, someone is saying ‘get out of the way, you bum.’ On Saturday, someone is saying, ‘You’re important. You’re special,’” Raines said, contrasting how society usually treats the homeless with the atmosphere of care she tried to create each weekend . Building trust was critical to her approach. “The reality of Skid Row is that it took a long time to earn that trust,” she told reporters in 2019. “I’m asking someone to close their eyes, lay their head back and be vulnerable. It took years of coming back every single Saturday.” Her consistency over time showed people that she wasn’t just a one-time do-gooder – she was truly invested in them.

Serving the Unhoused with Dignity and Respect

A hallmark of Shirley Raines’s work was the dignity and respect she gave to every person she encountered. She rejected the idea that people living on the street should be treated as invisible or less than human. One simple but powerful thing Raines did was address her homeless clients as royalty. She would greet men as “King” and women as “Queen,” often with a warm hug or a cheer, instantly conveying honor and affection . “The way she would call everyone ‘queen’ and ‘king’… she just spoke to everybody with so much kindness,” one community member recalled, noting that “her words filled people up as much as the food” she gave out . Raines also made a point to give people choices whenever possible – for example, letting them choose between meal options or pick their preferred hair color – in contrast to the limited agency they often experience on the streets . As one admirer observed, “She treated people with such dignity and I loved how she always gave them some kind of choice with their food. An absolute angel.” This empowerment through choice and respectful address made those she served feel seen and valued.

Inclusivity was another defining feature of Raines’s approach. She primarily started by serving women on Skid Row (providing makeup and feminine hygiene products), but she soon expanded her services to anyone in need – men, women, and children alike. She took special care to reach out to marginalized subgroups of the homeless population, including LGBTQ+ individuals. “She remembered people’s birthdays and took special care to reach out to transgender and queer people who were often on the outskirts of Skid Row,” noted Melissa Acedera, a fellow outreach volunteer . This inclusive, personal touch helped foster a sense of family and community among those who often felt abandoned by society.

Beyond beauty treatments, Beauty 2 The Streetz offered practical aid and emotional support. Raines and her team distributed hygiene kits, toiletries, clothing, tents, and other supplies to help people meet basic needs . She also partnered with other community groups; for example, a local motorcycle club called Fighters for the World would roar their bikes on Skid Row to announce that “we are here with food” and assist with meal service on Saturdays . Over time, Raines’s once-small initiative grew into a well-organized weekly outreach that many depended on. The sight of Ms. Shirley’s setup – brightly colored wigs and makeup palettes laid out next to buffet trays of home-cooked food – became a fixture on the corner of Fifth Street and San Pedro (a common Skid Row gathering spot) every weekend.

What made Shirley Raines’s work especially unique was how it blended personal care with social care. By bringing salon services to the streets, she was effectively “changing the face of homelessness” both literally and figuratively. “One of the things I wanted to do was change the face of homelessness, and I thought I was going to do that through hair and all these things,” Raines told People in 2020. “But I soon understood we needed to change the narrative of what ‘homeless’ means. Just because they’re without a home does not mean they’re without love… They are homeless, but a lot of them are not jobless. A lot of them are not kidless, phoneless or familyless. There are as many levels of poverty as there are levels of wealth.” . This insight encapsulated her philosophy: she aimed not only to provide cosmetic makeovers, but to combat the stigma around homelessness by sharing real stories and reminding the public that unhoused people have full, complex lives and identities.

Impact on the Community

Over nearly a decade of weekly service, Shirley Raines made a profound impact on the Skid Row community and beyond. Locally, she became known as an almost maternal figure to many on Skid Row – a constant source of support, comfort, and hope. It was not uncommon to see a line of hundreds of people waiting patiently each week for “Ms. Shirley” to arrive with her colorful wigs, hot meals, and contagious positivity . “To see the work she did, and how people couldn’t wait to see her come out – it was a great mission,” said Crushow Herring, art director of the Sidewalk Project, who often collaborated with Raines on Skid Row outreach . Through her efforts, many individuals who had felt forgotten were reminded of their own dignity. “What most people need is just feeling dignity about themselves, because if they look better, they feel better,” Herring explained, reflecting on Raines’s impact.

Raines’s influence also extended to empowering the very people she served. She often recruited unhoused individuals to join her volunteer crew, giving them roles like passing out supplies, sweeping up, or assisting with haircuts. “Raines would often give people on the street a position working with her as she provided haircuts or handed out goods,” Herring noted . By involving them in the work, she instilled a sense of responsibility and belonging. “By the time a year or two goes by, they’re part of the organization – they have something to look forward to,” Herring said of those volunteers who came from the streets . This approach helped some individuals gain experience and confidence; a few even transitioned off the streets after being connected with further resources. In one recent instance, a long-time Skid Row client excitedly told Raines that he had secured an apartment of his own – news that made her break into a huge smile and exclaim, “God is good! Look at you!” as she celebrated his progress . Moments like these highlighted how her consistent support could translate into real life changes for people.

Beyond downtown Los Angeles, Shirley Raines expanded her reach to other communities in need. She began doing pop-up service events in nearby cities – for example, bringing her “beauty and hope” model to San Diego and Las Vegas in recent years . Raines, who had moved to Henderson, Nevada, even started regular outreach in the Las Vegas area, extending her nonprofit’s mission across state lines . Importantly, she also recognized that homelessness isn’t confined to Skid Row. In 2022, Ms. Shirley turned her attention to college students facing homelessness and hunger. She partnered with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to organize on-campus food giveaways and to stock the university’s food pantry for students in need . “Yes, there are homeless college kids… Not everyone has a home to go to,” Raines wrote, after feeding hundreds of CSULB students who were living in cars or couch-surfing . Her food truck provided hot meals to students free of charge, and Beauty 2 The Streetz helped ensure the campus had supplies for those struggling . Through such efforts, Raines shone a light on the often hidden problem of student homelessness and proved her willingness to serve any community that needed love and care.

The numbers behind her work are staggering. By 2025, Los Angeles County’s homeless population was estimated at around 72,000 on any given night . While Shirley Raines could not help all of them alone, she and her volunteers directly served hundreds of people every week, and over the years likely thousands of unhoused individuals benefited from her kindness . Moreover, through social media, she raised awareness to millions more about the human side of homelessness. Her impact can be measured not just in meals or haircuts given, but in the smiles she brought back to people’s faces, the trust she built, and the hope she inspired in a community that is so often mired in despair. “It’s hard not to think of Shirley when I’m [on Skid Row],” said Melissa Acedera, founder of Polo’s Pantry, who worked alongside Raines from the early days of Beauty 2 The Streetz . Raines became a fixture and a beacon in the community – someone known for turning a neglected sidewalk into a place of celebration, complete with mirrors, music, laughter, and plenty of hugs.

Social Media Presence and Broader Influence

Part of what made Shirley Raines’s work so influential was her savvy use of social media to document and amplify the cause. Early on, Raines began live-streaming her Skid Row makeovers and posting before-and-after photos of the people she helped. She shared candid videos of herself handing out food, washing hair on the curb, dancing with participants, and delivering pep talks to the camera about compassion. These posts struck a chord online. By January 2026, Ms. Shirley had over 5 million followers on TikTok and a large audience on Instagram as well (her organization’s combined social media following exceeded 6 million people ). On TikTok especially, she was celebrated as a positive influencer – a vibrant woman with neon-colored hair who called her content “the Kingdom of Kindness.”

Raines’s videos often went viral for their heartwarming content. One widely-shared clip showed her encountering a barefoot little girl waiting in the food line on a chilly day; without hesitation, Ms. Shirley removed her own sneakers and put them on the child’s feet to keep her warm . In another video that became popular, she gave a homeless veteran a dramatic hair and beard makeover, transforming his appearance and moving him to tears of gratitude. Through these stories, Shirley Raines didn’t just help individuals on the street – she also educated her online viewers about homelessness with empathy and solutions-oriented messaging. She frequently used her platform to advocate for the homeless, highlighting issues like the need for public showers, accessible healthcare, and housing programs . During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, she helped turn her Skid Row beauty station into a makeshift COVID testing and vaccination site, handing out PPE and sanitizer along with meals . Online, she urged her followers to see the unhoused as neighbors and family rather than nuisances, and many were moved to donate or volunteer after seeing her content.

Raines’s engaging social media presence earned her not only a massive follower base but also the attention of media and celebrities. She was often described as a “TikTok star” or “viral activist” in news headlines . In interviews, she emphasized that going viral was never her goal – it was a means to “amplify the voices of those in need”, as her organization put it . Still, the public gravitated to her genuine, unfiltered style. “She did it with no pretense and no personality modification. She was so real,” one long-time social media follower commented, explaining why Raines’s videos were a source of comfort and inspiration to many during tough times . Fans around the world admired how she “led with love” and showed that small acts – a haircut, a kind word – could make a big difference. Raines used hashtags like #LoveMyNeighbor and #HaircutsOnSkidRow, effectively changing some viewers’ perceptions of homeless individuals. Many who watched her content said they learned to treat unhoused people with more compassion in their own daily lives . In this way, Raines’s influence extended far beyond Southern California; she sparked a larger conversation about dignity for the homeless and encouraged a wave of grassroots kindness.

Awards and Milestones

Shirley Raines’s innovative service and advocacy did not go unnoticed. Over the past few years, she achieved several major milestones and honors that recognized her contributions:

• 2021 – CNN Hero of the Year: In December 2021, Shirley Raines was named the CNN Hero of the Year, a prestigious honor awarded to an everyday individual making extraordinary humanitarian efforts . She stood on stage at the CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute in New York, where she accepted the award with an emotional speech dedicating it to her late son and her “kids” on Skid Row . Along with the title, she received a $100,000 grant for her nonprofit’s work. “This surely hasn’t been easy. I stand before you a very broken woman,” Raines said through tears at the ceremony, “I am a mother without a son and there are a lot of people in the streets without a mother – and I feel like it’s a fair exchange. I’m here for them.” Her recognition as CNN Hero of the Year brought international attention to Beauty 2 The Streetz.
• 2022 – People’s Choice Awards Stage with Lizzo: Pop superstar Lizzo selected Shirley Raines as one of 17 activist “heroes” to share the stage during Lizzo’s acceptance of the People’s Champion Award at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards . Raines was highlighted for being “nationally recognized for providing unhoused people in Los Angeles’ Skid Row with essential resources”. Standing alongside other changemakers (including the mother of Breonna Taylor and youth activist “Little Miss Flint”), Ms. Shirley received a public “thank you” on live television from Lizzo, who wanted to “give them their flowers” for their work. This moment put Raines in the national spotlight as a role model of compassion.

• 2025 – NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Social Media Personality: In February 2025, Shirley Raines won a NAACP Image Award for her impactful online presence . She was honored in the category of Outstanding Social Media Personality of the Year, recognizing how she used platforms like TikTok to uplift and mobilize her community. Raines attended the 56th NAACP Image Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, walking the red carpet in her trademark vibrant style . This award from the NAACP underscored that her activism bridged both real-world service and effective social media advocacy .
• 2025 – TIME100 Creators List: That same year, Time magazine named Shirley Raines as one of the TIME100 Creators, a list of the year’s most influential content creators in the world . She was recognized by Time for leveraging social media to drive positive change and bring attention to homelessness in an unprecedented way. This honor placed her alongside top global influencers, highlighting the scope of her impact.

In addition to these highlights, Raines was frequently featured in media profiles. She was the subject of stories in outlets like People, Vogue, Allure, and CNN.com , and her work was covered by local Los Angeles news stations as a model of community leadership. Each accolade and article helped spread the message of Beauty 2 The Streetz to new audiences, inspiring others to volunteer or start similar initiatives in their own cities. However, those close to Shirley note that she remained humble about these honors. She often redirected praise to her team and supporters, and would say that the real reward was seeing someone on the street smile with pride after a makeover or enjoy a home-cooked meal.

Voices from the Community: Testimonials

Perhaps the most powerful testament to Shirley Raines’s legacy comes from the people whose lives she touched directly. Here are a few quotes and testimonials from individuals who knew, worked with, or were helped by Ms. Shirley, highlighting what made her so special:

• Crushow Herring (Homeless Outreach Colleague): “I’ve been getting calls all morning from people, not just who live in Skid Row but Angelenos who are shocked [by Raines’ death]. To see the work she did, and how people couldn’t wait to see her come out – it was a great mission. What most people need is just feeling dignity about themselves, because if they look better, they feel better.” Herring, who works with the Sidewalk Project in L.A., admired how Raines boosted people’s self-esteem and created eager anticipation in the community every week.
• Melissa Acedera (Volunteer Partner, Founder of Polo’s Pantry): “Shirley remembered people’s birthdays and took special care to reach out to transgender and queer people who were often on the outskirts of Skid Row… It’s hard not to think of Shirley when I’m there [on Skid Row].” As a fellow organizer, Acedera observed Raines’s personal touch and inclusivity, noting that Raines made everyone – especially those often overlooked – feel seen and loved.
• Community Member on Reddit: “The way she would call everyone ‘queen’ and ‘king’… she just spoke to everybody with so much kindness. I used to think her words filled people up as much as the food.” – “I feel so, so much respect for her… she was an inspiration worth modeling after. I hope people take up Ms. Shirley’s example and mantle in her absence… she was an inspiration worth modeling after. RIP.” These comments from supporters online reflect how Shirley Raines inspired everyday people. Many followers considered her a role model for compassionate action, expressing a desire to continue her work and emulate her kindness.

• Alexis “BlackForager” Nikole (Social Media Peer): “Ms. Shirley was truly the best of us, love incarnate.”  Alexis Nikole Nelson, a popular educator on social media, posted this tribute in honor of Raines. In just a few words, she captured what many felt – that Shirley Raines embodied pure love through her deeds, setting a standard for altruism.

These testimonials, whether from colleagues, those she served, or admirers who watched her from afar, all underscore a common theme: Shirley Raines had a rare ability to touch hearts. She made individuals feel important and cared for, and her authenticity and dedication moved others to tears. As one person wrote, “She carried my hope in a lot of those moments… A beautiful soul.” Even those who never met her in person felt a personal connection through her videos and posts. Such is the breadth of her impact that people speak of her with a reverence usually reserved for close family or dear friends. In the community she served, many referred to her as an “angel” or “street mother” who showed up unfailingly with open arms.

Tributes and Public Reaction to Her Passing

Shirley Raines’s recent passing on January 27, 2026 has been met with an outpouring of grief and gratitude from the public. News of her death was first announced in an official statement by Beauty 2 The Streetz on social media, which read in part: “Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada… This loss is devastating to the entire Beauty 2 The Streetz team, the communities we serve, and the countless individuals whose lives were forever changed by Ms. Shirley’s love, generosity, and selfless service.” . The statement asked for prayers for her family and promised that “Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched.” .

Immediately after the announcement, tributes flooded in from all corners. On Skid Row, word spread quickly among the residents that their “Queen” Ms. Shirley had passed. Many were in shock. “I’ve been getting calls all morning from people… who are shocked,” Crushow Herring said on the day the news broke . Even those who never met her personally felt the impact: “So many people will be impacted by this loss – an amazing asset to her community, she will be missed,” one Facebook user wrote, echoing the sentiments of thousands of comments across platforms.

On social media, the reaction was massive. Shirley Raines’s name trended on TikTok and Twitter as followers shared compilation videos of her acts of kindness. Other influencers and public figures who knew of her work also paid homage. As mentioned, social media personality Alexis Nikole called her “the best of us, love incarnate” . The official CNN Heroes page posted a memorial note, recalling her award and her continued devotion to the “Kings and Queens” of Skid Row . Notably, music star Lizzo – who had honored Raines in 2022 – went on Instagram Live visibly in tears, telling viewers how heartbroken she was and urging them to continue Raines’s mission (Lizzo’s tribute was widely shared by fans and even covered in entertainment news) . Such high-profile acknowledgments illustrate how far Shirley Raines’s influence reached.

The most heartfelt tributes, however, came from ordinary people who had been touched by Raines. Many took to the Beauty 2 The Streetz Instagram and TikTok comments to share stories: a woman recounted how Ms. Shirley gave her a makeover on a day she felt hopeless, a former Skid Row resident credited her for connecting him to resources that got him off the streets, and numerous volunteers thanked her for teaching them “what true giving looks like.” On Reddit’s r/LosAngeles forum, a post announcing Raines’s death received hundreds of comments. “I’m just so sad this happened,” one user wrote, “It’s always the good people that are gone too soon.” . Another commenter who had interacted with Raines online said, “I still have the last message she sent me and I’m just sitting here in tears. She was so amazing and so loved. Rest in power, Queen.” .

Local community members are also organizing real-world tributes. In Long Beach (Raines’s hometown), supporters held a candlelight vigil and painted a mural depicting her with angel wings, surrounded by the words “You’re Important. You’re Special,” her famous affirmation . In downtown LA, volunteers set up a makeshift “beauty station” handing out free haircuts and meals for a day in her memory – a gesture to continue her work even for a day. Many of those who stood in line that day said it felt like Shirley’s spirit was present, encouraging them.

City leaders have acknowledged her impact as well. Los Angeles Mayor’s Office tweeted condolences and praised Raines for “bringing hope and dignity to those who needed it most.” The Mayor of Long Beach called her “a true local hero who showed us what one person’s love can accomplish”. Such public recognitions reinforce how widely respected and beloved she was.

Continuing Her Legacy

Amid the mourning, there is a strong resolve among Shirley Raines’s family, team, and supporters to ensure that her legacy lives on. Beauty 2 The Streetz has continued its operations, with volunteers and board members stepping up to fill the void left by Ms. Shirley’s absence. In fact, immediately after her passing, supporters launched a donation campaign to keep the nonprofit’s services running. In just a couple of days, the campaign (including a GoFundMe drive) raised over $200,000 – a testament to how many people were moved to contribute and sustain the mission she started . “Supporters have already begun contributing… to ensure the organization’s work continues,” reported FOX 11 News, noting the surge of donations and offers of help . The organization has said these funds will go toward weekly service events, as well as a planned “Ms. Shirley Memorial Fund” to expand programs in new communities, as per her vision.

Raines’s family has expressed deep gratitude for the love shown by the community. In an exclusive statement, her daughter Danielle Williams said that “her life and her legacy is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to be perfect to do something powerful and meaningful.” . Those words encapsulate one of the inspiring truths of Shirley Raines’s story – she often emphasized that she was an ordinary person with flaws and past struggles, yet she managed to create extraordinary change. Her family is encouraging people to continue supporting Beauty 2 The Streetz in her honor, rather than sending flowers or other gifts . They know that nothing would honor Shirley more than seeing her “street family” cared for and her mission carried forward.

Beauty 2 The Streetz has announced that information about a public memorial service will be shared soon . It is expected that many from Skid Row and the broader community will attend to celebrate her life. In the meantime, messages continue to pour in on social media with the hashtag #LoveLikeShirley, encouraging acts of kindness emulating her example. Volunteers have pledged to continue the Saturday tradition on Skid Row, and some local barbers and beauticians have already organized to take turns offering free haircuts there in her memory.

In the words of the official statement from her nonprofit, “Her legacy will continue to live on through the work she started and the hearts she touched.” There is a palpable determination among those hearts not to let the light she ignited fade out. Raines had often said she wanted Beauty 2 The Streetz to “expand our vision to the Streetz of the world” – and in many ways, her passing has only amplified that vision as others rally to spread her message of love and dignity.

Conclusion

Shirley Raines’s life is a powerful reminder of how one person’s compassion can transform a community. Through Beauty 2 The Streetz, she provided much more than beauty makeovers – she provided hope, human connection, and a sense of self-worth to people who needed it desperately. From the pain of personal tragedy, she forged a mission that brought joy to others, living out her belief that “broken people are still very much useful” . She was a mother to the motherless, a friend to the friendless, and a fearless advocate for those at society’s margins.

In a world often hardened to the plight of the homeless, Shirley Raines refused to look away. Instead, she looked closer – into their eyes, learning their names and stories. She made the streets her salon and soup kitchen, treating sidewalks as sacred spaces of healing. Her work was unique and memorable because it spoke to a basic human need: to feel seen, loved, and beautiful, no matter one’s circumstance. As one tribute succinctly put it, she was “love incarnate”.

Although Shirley Raines’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void, her legacy endures in the countless lives she touched. It lives in the volunteers she mentored, in the people who have newfound confidence because of her makeovers, and in the changed attitudes of those who followed her online. It lives on every Saturday that a team shows up on Skid Row to say, “You’re important. You’re special.” And it lives in the rallying cry to carry forward her mission of beauty, empathy, and unconditional love for the unhoused. In celebrating Shirley Raines’s life, we remember a true community hero – a woman who quite literally brought beauty to the streets and in doing so, revealed the beauty in every human soul.

Sources:

• Shirley Raines, founder of LA nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz, has died: LAist – Shirley Raines dies at 58

• TikTok star & founder Shirley Raines dies at 58: WTVY – Shirley Raines dies at 58

• Shirley Raines, Beauty 2 The Streetz founder, dies at 58 (FOX 11): FOX 11 – Shirley Raines dead at 58

• Lizzo remembers Shirley Raines emotional reaction: TMZ – Lizzo mourns Shirley Raines

• Shirley Raines’s legacy & celebrity tributes: Hello! Magazine – Tributes to Shirley Raines

• AP News obituary-style coverage: AP News – Shirley Raines, TikTok star & humanitarian, dies at 58

• People.com profile including discovery and family details: People – Shirley Raines found unresponsive after wellness check

• People.com family profile with details on her children: People – All About Shirley Raines’s Family

• International coverage on her impact: Times of India – Shirley Raines passes away at 58