A Fierce Warrior for Democrats Abroad

Sharon Manitta, the founding Communications Director of Democrats Abroad and the long serving Press Coordinator for DAUK, passed away on May 26th. She was 78 and was in a second battle with cancer after defeating it several years before. Click here to request funeral service details - 07 July 2026 in Wiltshire UK.

 

She was a fierce advocate for DA and DAUK for more than 4 decades and fought equally hard for democratic principles in her profession as she did in politics and the press. Her experience outside of DA is as intriguing as her accomplishments on behalf of Democrats.

At the time of the Woodstock music festival of 1969, Sharon was just 21 but had already earned a place as a young editor and reporter for the Syracuse, NY, Post-Standard, as part of the “Pen and Pencil Set”, a group of high school editors hired by the newspaper from five local schools. Sharon was assigned to cover the “Teen Beat” and she made the most of her press pass to interview the biggest names in music touring through town, including John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys. When Woodstock came along, there was no stopping her from heading a few hours down the highway from Syracuse to Yasgur's farm for the festival.

She earned her bachelor’s from Drew University and a second degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She worked for some of the top dress designers of the day in New York City but thumbed her nose at their conformist view of rail-thin female figures and democratised part of the industry by opening her own shop, Reuben’s Dreams, for sizes 12+ in 1972. 

She won a scholarship to study textiles in the UK with the Courtauld Institute and moved here on New Years Eve in 1977.  

In politics, Sharon campaigned for Democratic candidates through 16 presidential elections. She was a leader in the early development of Democrats Abroad through the 1980s and 90s, creating the role of International Communications Director and setting professional standards of operation for the DA press office. She joined with other leaders of Democrats Abroad to organise the first DA meeting with a Democratic President (Bill Clinton) in 1995, presenting him with a DA scarf she had knitted for the occasion. 

She led the DAUK press team from 2008 and again served DA international as Press Secretary from 2023 to 2025.  

She is survived by two younger twin brothers in America.

Sharon's funeral will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, 07 July in Wiltshire.

If you are a DAUK member and would like to attend the services, please complete form that follows to receive timings, address and other details. 

Notice of Services Form: https://forms.gle/5okBBez3h2cWHWeV6

Plans for a London remembrance event will be published in the next Blue Wave members' newsletter and through DAUK channels. Further information may be available by contacting [email protected].

Sharon will be missed by her many friends and colleagues in DAUK and around the world.