Sharon Singh

WASHINGTON : A staunch Democrat who has worked on the Clinton/Gore campaign, Sharon Singh is well known in Washington, D.C., political circles as a committed activist and media consultant. She worked in the 1990’s for Congressman Vic Fazio, (D-CA), and has returned to Capitol Hill again this year to become the press secretary for Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-27th).

The 27th district comprises approximately half of the San Fernando Valley in Southern California including parts of the City of Los Angeles and Burbank. Prior to returning to the Hill, Singh was communications director for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy since 2001. As a political activist and media consultant some of her projects included coordinating the involvement of celebrities from the entertainment and political spheres in the Million Mom March, and the Alliance for Justice First Monday Campaign.

From 1997 to 2000, Singh was a political appointee to the Clinton administration in a number of capacities including: Agency Representative, the White House; Special Assistant, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service; and Deputy Director of Events, NATO’s 50th Anniversary Summit Events and Communications Office. She was also part of several advance teams for President Clinton, Vice President Gore and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

In an interview with News India-Times Singh, who is from Northern California, said that since she has a background in communications and media strategy and implementation, “I am responsible for all communication activities for Congressman Sherman — from press statements, electronic communications, interviews, and so forth in the district and nationally.”

She says that “Rep. Sherman’s recent resolution, H. Res. 528, condemning France’s decision to ban the use of religious symbols in public schools demonstrates his understanding of the importance of freedom of religion and culture.”

Regarding her career highlights, Singh says she enjoyed to the hilt working on the Clinton/Gore 1996 campaign and in the administration, including the White House. She says she was the first South Asian American to be a fellow in the California Legislature Fellowship Program in 1990. Asked how she got interested in working for an elected American official Singh said, “Because of my upbringing, I was taught that service for others is a very respectable profession — from being a doctor to a lawyer to a social service worker to a garbage collector. I have always been interested in the nexus of politics and the media.” She also says her work ethic, integrity, plus her experience in the entertainment industry has provided her with “a unique perspective that has been helpful in my career.”

A graduate of the University of California, Davis in Rhetoric/Communications and Art Studio, Singh has clear views on the political participation of Indian Americans in this country. “It is very important to be involved in the political process because it really does affect our daily lives. I am a Democrat because my parents became citizens during Kennedy presidency because they were inspired by his call to do service to your country and to others whose voice may not always be heard.”

Her parents, Sarvan and Gayan K. Singh, were both born in the Fiji Islands and migrated to the U.S. Three of her grandparents, originally from Punjab, immigrated to the Fiji Islands. Sharon’s parents now live in California. She also has a sister, Sheri and two brothers, Sarvan Jr. and Sajit. Sharon’s pastime includes cooking and is currently working on a book on the culture and cuisine of the Fijians. Besides this, Sharon is a “member of a boxing gym (“I have a pretty good uppercut”) and loves to jog (completed the Marine Corps. Marathon a couple of years ago).