Once upon a time, two little girls stayed up through the night singing every song they knew. Years later, identical twins Sandra and Sharon Washington took their late-night ramblings and laughter on the road. Bold and joyful, the Washington Sisters brought an uplifting spirit of hope to their two albums, Understated (Iceberg Records, 1987) and Take Two (Shsawa Music, 1991). They performed hundreds of concerts, including over two-dozen appearances at music and cultural festivals in the U.S. and Canada. Their blend of a cappella, jazz swing, blues, gospel, and island rhythms provided a unique basis for their message of peace, women’s rights, pride, and cultural diversity.
Sharon J. Washington, PhD, CKBD is an organizational development and leadership consultant and the Owner and Principal Designer for Eclexis Design, LLC. She has nearly four decades of professional experience in non-profit and higher education leadership, nonprofit boards, and the arts; and has been serving residential interior design clients since 2015. When the The Washington Sisters stopped touring, Sharon realized that rehearsing and performing music in community with others was a source of joy and has sung in choirs in Northampton, Atlanta and Oakland, CA. Throughout her career, she has engaged in work that contributes to a greater understanding of individuals and groups and the ways in which work and learning communities can foster greater equity and inclusion, and the importance of creating physical spaces that provide sanctuary.
Sändra Washington is currently in her third term as a city councilwoman and serves as the Chair of the National Parks Conservation Association. This work affords her the opportunity to continue work in climate resiliency and affordable housing. Sändra retired from the National Park Service after nearly 25-years holding various positions in planning, environmental compliance, training/development, park management, construction, communication, legislation and congressional affairs. Since the end of touring with The Washington Sisters, Sändra has remained connected to music primarily through church choirs and the occasional blues set with her wife’s band.