Sharon Durkan has lived in Beacon Hill as a renter for over 8 years and throughout this time has navigated the same hurdles as many of her District 8 neighbors. That's why she knows that access to housing, health care, and open spaces for all are essential for strong, vibrant communities.

Sharon was raised by working-class parents in rural north Georgia, and her upbringing taught her the power of hard work and persistence. As Sharon grew up, her family struggled with the realities of mental illness and substance abuse. When she and her sisters needed help most, their community stepped in. Her grandfather, a Spanish immigrant, became a parental figure, modeling civic participation and community building for the girls. Those early experiences taught Sharon that being human is about caring for our neighbors—and in doing so, building communities.

As a student and cross-country athlete, Sharon was drawn to the outdoors and advocated for more green space and environmental sustainability. She spearheaded a petition to her high school administration to provide individual laptops for every student and helped found her school’s first-ever recycling program, and she’s been organizing ever since.

Sharon received a B.A. in Government from Smith College in 2014, and is a first generation college graduate. Sharon devoted herself to Democratic organizing as President of the Smith College Democrats and Vice President of the College Democrats of Massachusetts, organizing both the college campus and nearby constituencies for Democratic candidates across the Commonwealth and nationwide.

Since moving to Boston, Sharon has worked tirelessly to transform our City’s leadership and win important progressive victories. She began working for then-Councilor Michelle Wu in May 2015, and has since been enlisted by Senator Ed Markey and Councilors Kenzie Bok, Ruthzee Louijeune, and Josh Zakim to organize and plan winning strategies to advance bold leadership across the state. She is proud to have organized alongside the first woman elected Mayor of Boston and Massachusetts Governor/Lt. Governor, as well as the first woman elected to her State Senate district, the Third-Suffolk.

In 2019, Sharon was elected Chair of the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee, serving as a community advocate and organizer for residents living in her neighborhood. And, as a small business owner, she deeply understands the hard work and perseverance it takes to navigate running a business in Boston. Sharon’s experiences working in this City have taught her that when we support our small businesses, our entire city thrives.

Through this work, she has affirmed her belief that finding solutions to Boston’s most intractable challenges requires listening to our neighbors. She hopes to earn your support and vote for Boston City Councilor, District 8. She is just an email or phone call away at sharon@sharondurkan.com or ‪(617) 819-4006‬‪.