First African American woman vice president at PEPCO

On March 1, 1983, Sharon Pratt became vice president for public policy at the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), achieving a groundbreaking milestone as the company’s first African American woman vice president. This promotion capped a steady rise from her 1976 appointment as associate general counsel and followed her earlier role as vice president of consumer affairs.

At a time when major utilities and corporate America remained overwhelmingly white and male at the executive level, Pratt’s ascent to the vice presidency represented a significant breach of both racial and gender barriers in the energy sector. Her portfolio in public policy placed her at the intersection of corporate strategy, regulatory affairs, and community relations, giving a Black woman direct influence over how a major regional utility engaged with government and the public. In an era of intensifying debates around energy regulation, consumer protection, and urban infrastructure, her leadership helped connect corporate decision-making with the needs of D.C.’s largely Black urban population.

This first not only expanded the presence of African American women in corporate leadership but also reinforced Pratt’s profile as a skilled manager and policymaker, strengthening her credibility for future political office. Her success at PEPCO demonstrated that Black women could navigate and lead within traditionally closed corporate environments, providing a powerful model for subsequent generations of women executives. The experience also honed her understanding of complex budgeting, systems management, and regulatory compliance—skills she would later draw upon in addressing Washington’s fiscal and governance challenges as mayor.