Council Member Sharon Quirk-Silva
 Council Member Sharon Quirk-Silva was elected to her first four-year term on the Fullerton City Council in November 2004, and re-elected in 2008.
She served as Mayor in 2007-08, and as Mayor Pro Tem in 2006-07.
Prior to joining the Council, Council Member Quirk-Silva served two years on the Fullerton Community Services Commission. Council Member Quirk-Silva is the City of Fullerton representative to the Southern California Association of Government, where her focus is on transportation. She is also the City’s representative to the Orange County Council of Governments, and the Orange County Sanitation District Board. Council Member Quirk-Silva was born Sept. 17, 1962, in Los Angeles, and has lived in Fullerton since she was 2. A product of the Fullerton school system, she attended Richman Elementary and Nicolas Junior High schools, and graduated from Fullerton Union High School. After high school, she earned an associate of arts degree from Fullerton College before transferring to UCLA, where she received a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1985. She earned a California Teacher Credential in 1988 from California State University, Fullerton, and has been a teacher with the Fullerton School District the past 21 years. An advocate of reaching out to citizens, Council Member Quirk-Silva created the popular “Walk and Talk” program in which she leads citizens on walks through specific areas of the community and discusses issues of concern to citizens. She also instituted her annual “Women in Leadership” program in which women leaders business and education in Fullerton are honored. Active in the community, Council Member Quirk-Silva is member of the Assistance League of Fullerton, the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation and the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum. She is also a supporter of the All the Arts for All the Children, the Fullerton Sister City Association, the Needlework Guild and the PTA. She is past chairwoman of the Fullerton Collaborative, a multi-agency group that focuses on programs that promote a healthy community; past chairwoman of Neighbors United for Fullerton; and past coordinator of the Fullerton School District’s “Healthy Student” program. Honors received by Council Member Quirk-Silva include the “Golden Bell Award” from Richman School for developing the school’s “Lunch Bunch” clubs. She also assisted in developing the Fullerton Collaborative, which received the “Partnership Award” from the League of California Cities’. Council Member Quirk-Silva was also named “Woman of the Year” in 2007 by state Sen. Lou Correa.In addition, she has received the “Beacon Award” from the Orange County Community Association for her efforts to secure lighting for Richman Park in Fullerton and for encouraging nonprofit organizations to become involved in the area.
Council Member Quirk-Silva has also received the “Golden Apple” award from the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund for her work in education.In March 2008 she was honored by California State University, Fullerton, as one of its 50 leading Latina graduates.The recognition was part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebration. Dhe also received the Harry Truman Award in 2008 for her service as Mayor. Council Member Quirk-Silva is married to Jesus Silva, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math at Nicolas Junior High School in Fullerton. Council Member Quirk-Silva has four children: Molly, a student at Bradley University; Catherine, a student at the University of California at San Diego; and Patrick and Jack Ryan, both students in Fullerton public schools. To send a message to Council Member Sharon Quirk-Silva, please email her at Council@ci.fullerton.ca.us |
