Councilmember At-Large Sharon A. Vaughn began her career in public service in January 1989 under the guidance and mentorship of the late Councilmember Augusta A. “Gussie” Clark, the first African American woman ever to serve in Philadelphia City Council. Through this experience, Sharon learned the true meaning of servant leadership. She developed an intimate understanding of meeting people where they are and gained valuable insight into the expectations Philadelphians have of city government. In 2001, Sharon continued her public service under the leadership of the Honorable Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco, with whom she worked for 14 years. It was through this experience that she met another prominent servant leader, accomplished attorney and longtime Council staffer, Derek S. Green.
Upon his election to City Council in 2015, Councilmember Green tapped Sharon to be his Chief of Staff, a role she held until September 2022 when he resigned his seat to run for mayor. After more than 33 years of service to the City of Philadelphia, it was at that time Sharon decided she was finally ready to run for public office. In November 2022, with unanimous support, Sharon won a special election for one of two vacant at-large Council seats, cementing her place in Philadelphia history.
Councilmember Vaughn was born and raised in North Philadelphia. She graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic High School for Girls in 1982. In 1983, she received her associate degree in Business Administration and Management from Bradford University. Prior to city government, Councilmember Vaughn held positions at PSFS and later at the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary School. Councilmember Vaughn has held several leadership positions throughout the years, including Board Member of Project to End Homelessness (now Project HOME) and Board Member of Greater Philadelphia Asian Social Service Center (GPASS). She has served as 42nd Ward Democratic Leader for the past 6 years and is also a member of the executive board of the Democratic State Committee under chairman, State Senator Sharif Street. Councilmember Vaughn and her husband, Kevin, are longtime residents of the Feltonville neighborhood. She is a proud mother of two: daughter, Kanika, and son, Kevin, Jr., and beaming grandmother to her babies, Khloe and Aaron.