Sharon Gary-Smith has dedicated over four decades of activism and leadership to ensuring that our most vulnerable and affected citizens are included in civic discourse, especially those most impacted by
homophobia, racism, sexism, classism, ageism and ableism. "I have realized that you cannot achieve equality in isolation," says Gary-Smith.

"The fight for equality is more than one particular campaign and so we must bring about awareness of larger issues to deal with the individual 'isms'."

A native Oregonian, Gary-Smith has held a number of professional positions within nonprofit and business arenas including serving as the Fund Manager for
Health, Education and Social Services at the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette (Portland); Vice President of Government Relations & Fund Development, Austin (Texas) Urban League; first National Programs Director, National Black Women's Health Project (Atlanta); and National Girls Programs Director, Be Present, Inc. (Atlanta).

Gary-Smith is a consultant to nonprofits and philanthropies that seek to be active participants in creating and funding a racially and socially just world for all, which she defines as, "a place that affirms and
provides space for individuals to be the best they can be."

Sharon is co-chair, People of Color Caucus of The National Network of Grantmakers; serves on the National Cultural Competence Advisory Group of The Alliance for Nonprofit Management, (Washington, DC), and the Racial Equity Committee of The National Network of Grantmakers.  She is on the board of the Partnership for Safety and Justice (Portland), a board member of Changemakers, Inc., a national foundation in San Francisco, and on the board of The Social Justice Fund NW (Seattle).

In addition, Gary-Smith is nearing the end of her four-year term as board chair of the Western States Center (Portland). The Center provides local and regional training, issues analysis, technical assistance, trendspotting, and on-the-ground support to aid grassroots leaders in building and sustaining a progressive movement for social, economic, racial and environmental justice in the Western United States.

Gary-Smith comments, "Equality is not about 'special rights', it is simply about the same rights. It is the right to love, the right to choose, the right to be committed, and the right that all people should have to experience respect and affirmation for their choices."