Portrait of Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly

In 1990, in her first bid for public office, Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly (born January 30, 1944) was elected mayor of Washington, D.C. With her election Dixon became the first African-American woman to serve as mayor of a major American city. While in office Dixon led an initiative to increase Black and Hispanic business ownership. She was unsuccessful, however, in her efforts to achieve statehood status for the District of Columbia.

In 1976, Dixon began working for Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the utility company for the Washington, D.C. area. Eventually becoming Vice President of Public Policy, Dixon was both the first woman and the first African-American to hold this position. During her term, she created new programs to improve low-income D.C. residents and senior citizens. She also created new employment opportunities for Washington, D.C. residents by launching satellite branches of PEPCO.

From 1985 to 1989 she was the Democratic National Committee Treasurer. Dixon became the first woman to hold that position.

Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly lives in Washington, D.C. where she continues her commitment to public service.