Sharon Harris is President of the Advocates for Self-Government, a nonprofit educational organization, founded in 1985, which specializes in libertarian communication and outreach.

She was one of the three finalists for the National LP’s “Thomas Paine Award for Outstanding Libertarian Communicator” – selected by members of the party and presented at the 2000 National Convention.

She also has the honor of being one of the most successful Libertarian Party candidates ever -- receiving over 300,000 votes in her race for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture in 1994.

Prior to being chosen as President of the Advocates, Sharon was owner and manager of a successful book indexing business for 17 years. She also has worked as a free-lance writer, a magazine-article-writing instructor, managing editor of the Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia, and as a team-building trainer for businesses and organizations.

Sharon has been active in the libertarian movement since the early 70s. In 1972, she was a founding member of the Libertarian Party of Georgia (LPGA) and cast one of a handful of Georgia write-in votes for 1972 Libertarian Party presidential candidate John Hospers.  She served the LPGA in many capacities, including being a member of the Executive Committee, editor of the Georgia Libertarian, meetings chair, convention coordinator, Cobb County LP co-founder and chair, and delegate to national conventions.

In 1988, she was Campaign Manager for the LPGA’s three Public Service Commission candidates -- an historic campaign that won state-wide ballot status for the party. In 1990, she served as an aide and consultant for the party’s gubernatorial campaign.

In 1994, she was the party’s candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture, receiving  23% statewide and 34% in 3 metro-Atlanta counties -- a total of over 300,000 votes  in a two-way race against Georgia’s most entrenched incumbent. This was the most votes ever received by a Libertarian candidate in Georgia, and the most votes received by any third-party candidate in the state in this century. The campaign’s results was among the best ever for any state-wide LP candidate nationwide.

Also in 1994, she was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the state of Georgia which challenged the Constitutionality of Georgia's law which required candidates for office to take a drug test. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Georgia libertarian attorney Walker Chandler won the case, thus overthrowing the law.

Sharon is the author of "The Invisible Hand Is a Gentle Hand," an article which demonstrates the beauty of a truly libertarian society.

As Advocates President, she is publisher of The Libertarian Communicator magazine and of the world’s largest libertarian email newsletter, The Liberator Online, with over 50,000 readers in 100+ countries.

The Advocates for Self-Government is also creator, publisher and distributor of the world-famous, eye-opening World's Smallest Political Quiz; creator of Operation Politically Homeless (OPH) booths; sponsor of Lights of Liberty awards for libertarian activism, and much more.

An award-winning speaker, Sharon has presented libertarian ideas on radio talk shows, on TV, to college political science classes, before service clubs, and to Libertarian and Republican gatherings. She has also been interviewed by the editorial boards of several major newspapers.  

Topics Sharon has spoken on include: powerful communications skills for libertarians; reasons for optimism about the liberty movement; the future of liberty; what one person can do to further the cause of liberty; what a truly libertarian society would be like; Myers-Briggs Personality Types.

Libertarian groups Sharon has addressed include: state LP conventions in New York, California, Texas, Michigan, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey, Washington State, Georgia, Alabama, Montana, Connecticut; West Virginia, Ohio, The Libertarian Party of Canada’s national convention; The Libertarian Party USA’s national convention; Advocates 15th Anniversary Celebration; Success ‘97 & 99’ in Georgia, North Carolina, Maine and Minneapolis; International Society of Individual Liberty 2000 convention in Ontario Canada.

Sharon has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology. She earned Certification by the Association for Psychological Type for teaching, administering and interpreting the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the world’s most widely used personality inventory.

She lives with her husband, writer and editor Jimmy Harris, in Rydal, Georgia. She has one grown daughter and three perfect grandchildren.

What have libertarians said about Sharon?

"If you're interested in How to Win Friends and Influence People, libertarian-style, Sharon Harris a walking textbook on effective persuasion techniques." -- National Libertarian Party Website

"As usual, your presentation was excellent. At ease, clearly stated, good conversational connection with the audience. And the topic was perfect for an LP convention. You also had a great deal of data to share to back up the proposition... Anecdotes communicate well, and you used them well... As you could tell, you were a hit with the audience. Well-deserved." -- David Bergland, 1984 LP Presidential candidate, former LP National Chair, and author of Libertarianism in One Lesson

"Heading the line-up of the verbal virtuosos is Sharon Harris. ...An award-winning speaker, Harris has presented libertarian ideas on radio talk shows, on cable TV, to college political science classes, and even to Republican gatherings... Under her leadership, the Advocates was named the 'most effective' libertarian organization by readers of LP News in 1999." -- LP News

"Thank you for making the closing presentation at our World Conference in July, 2000 in London, Ontario. This was the 20th anniversary of the International Society for Individual Liberty, and we were thrilled and honored that you agreed to be part of our celebration. Your topic and your presentation were compelling. It's not unusual for people to wander away on the last day of the conference, but you held them right to the last. Each day, we did an audience evaluation of the speakers and events, you were rated as one of the best of the conference!" -- Mary Lou Gutscher, Coordinator, 2000 ISIL World Liberty Conference

"When Sharon Harris holds up the six foot tall printout of self-described libertarian celebrities, one initially sees her as dwarfed by the results of her own work. By the end of her presentation, however, one realizes that the ever-growing list is the one that's dwarfed -- dwarfed by Sharon's unequalled stature as a Libertarian communicator and visionary." -- Dr. Helmut Forren, Chair, LP-GA

 "Sharon Harris was an extraordinary highlight at our April 2002 Washington State Convention. With a classy style that always conveys how very much she cares, she taught us how to replace ineffective 'win-lose' rhetoric with 'win-win' proposals that are consistent with libertarian principles. Ideas like those create credible candidates!"  -- Brett Wilhelm, Libertarian Party of Washington State  Campaigns Committee

"Sharon Harris clearly communicated the principles of freedom and liberty in a fun and entertaining way. She had the audience in the palm of her hand with relevant stories, examples and ideas that had their attention riveted to what she had to say. What a shining example of the way we can communicate the benefits of liberty and freedom!" -- Terry Brock, former President, National Speakers Association

"Sharon, I  want to thank you again for coming to Montgomery to speak at the Libertarian Party of Alabama's state convention. As always, you bring a grace and charm that brightens any event. Your presence helped people to understand the value of activism, and hopefully will spur Alabama's Libertarians to even greater achievements in the future." -- Scott Kjar, former Chair, LP-AL

 “As our after-dinner speaker, Sharon held everyone’s attention as she outlined the case for optimism when it comes to the successful spreading of libertarian ideals… Sharon delivered as promised… I am convinced that Sharon’s presentation made our national convention a success.” -- Hill Cox, former Leader, LP of Canada  

Sharon , thank you for your eloquent speech at Freedom Summit 2002 in Phoenix , Arizona . I was glad you got to interract with our pro-freedom crowd here in Phoenix .  Although we knew of the great work done by the Advocates for Self Government, we didn't personally know those who worked in its trenches. It was nice to get to know you in person.  Your dedication to the great cause of liberty is much appreciated and admired. Many long time libertarians were quite impressed with both your style of presentation as well as the depth of your thought and keen insights.  You have a rare ability to forcefully and effectively convey the importance of freedom in a non-threatening and inviting manner.  In addition to counting you among my friends, I consider you a sister of mine in this critically important fight for freedom. I hope the Freedom Summit and the Advocates for Self Government will continue to be associated as forces for freedom. -- Marc J. Victor, Esq., co-founder of the Freedom Summit , Phoenix AZ

Quotable

"What I really love about libertarianism is the consistency of applying a basic principle to all issues. When I speak o college political science classes, I explain the basic concept of libertarianism and then invite questions. When students ask about a particular issue, I ask them, 'Given the basic concept I just explained, what do YOU think the libertarian position is on that issue?' Almost always, they get the right answer. I love seeing them have that 'ah-ha' experience of understanding! 

"Another thing I love about libertarianism is that, unlike other philosophies, we libertarians are willing -- even eager -- to grant to others the same liberties we want for ourselves."

Books & Tapes

To purchase tapes by Sharon Harris, please go to the Advocates' Liberty Store.