In 1987, she was appointed to President Ronald Reagan's Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic and from 1989 served on the Muscogee Nation Hospital and Clinics Board, which she chaired from 1990 to 1992.

She was instrumental in developing an HIV/AIDS educational program for the tribe, and served as the only Oklahoma member of the Clinton Health Care Task Force in 1993.

Shelly Lynn Stubbs was born on January 27, 1948, in Henryetta, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to Dorthea (née Beaver) and Everett W.

[4] Her maternal grandfather, Joe M. Beaver was a full-blood member of the tribe and active in Native American affairs,[2] and her great-grandmother, Rose Beaver-Starr was one of the founders of the Hickory Ground Baptist Church #1 in McIntosh County.

She was chair of the Indian Parent Committee in Jenks and worked with educators from Oklahoma and Kansas to develop a curricula for gifted Indigenous students.

[2][10] She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Northeastern State University in 1987,[4][10] and was appointed to President Ronald Reagan's first Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic.

The board was tasked with investigating alleged mismanagement at facilities serving the Muscogee nation and working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to secure adequate funds for implementing child welfare and family service programs.

[5] Concerned about the HIV/AIDs epidemic among Native Americans, she organized a conference in 1990 to discuss tribal policy development and preventative education programs which could be implemented with culturally appropriate treatment plans.

[4] Crow had met Clinton at an event in Tulsa in 1992 and when she heard about the task force, wrote a letter to the First Lady outlining the special concerns for Native health.

[22] The appointment caused a petition of intent to be filed for her removal as second chief, alleging she would not have sufficient time to fulfill her duties to the tribe.

[3] After leaving office, Crow served as a policy analyst for the Muscogee Nation Division of Health Administration from 1996 to 2000, and returned to teaching at both Langston and the University of Tulsa.

[12][28] That year she was recognized by Tulsa Community College as the third recipient of the Best of TCC Award for her service and professionalism in health care for the Muscogee Nation.

[3] She is remembered for her political milestone as the first woman to serve on the executive branch of the Muscogee National Council and her work to improve Native health services.