Growing up, Sharon Tomiko witnessed both the pain that injustice leaves behind and the determination of a community that refused to disappear. 

Her mother and grandparents were among the Japanese American families forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated during World War II.

In the years that followed, Sharon Tomiko witnessed elders, organizers, churches, families, and small business owners slowly piece neighborhoods and community life back together.

Kenneth Miyake 三宅 富子 (left) born in Kurashiki, Japan moved to the United States for seminary school. While living in Berkeley, CA., he met Joyce Ishizaka 石坂 (right) a California born Nisei. In 1961 they welcomed their daughter Sharon Tomiko Miyake.

As a student at Franklin High School, Sharon Tomiko became part of that work herself, organizing youth participation in Seattle’s first Day of Remembrance, galvanizing fellow students to join a caravan from Seattle to Puyallup, where Japanese American families had first been assembled before mass incarceration in 1942.

As a student at The Evergreen State College, Santos was inspired by Seattle civil rights figure Gordon Hirabayashi’s work exposing the federal government’s corruption used to justify Japanese American incarceration.

After graduating in 1988, Sharon Tomiko continued her studies in public policy, leadership, and community-centered public service at Northeastern University, where she earned her Master’s Degree.

While working on Mike Lowry’s campaign for U.S. Senate, she met Bob Santos, the beloved Chinatown International District organizer known to many as “Uncle Bob.”

The two married in 1992 and shared a deep commitment to civil rights, community preservation, and opportunity for working families until his passing in 2016.

Before serving in the Legislature, Sharon Tomiko worked in banking, for local elected officials, and in nonprofit leadership.

She also became active in international women’s issues and served as a delegate to the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

Sharon Tomiko Santos has earned recognition from educators, civil rights organizations, community advocates, and public service institutions across Washington.

Honors and awards include the Franklin High School Hall of Fame, The Evergreen State College Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumna Award, the Children’s Alliance Champions for Children Award, the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and more.

  • 2024 Friend of Children Award, Washington State PTA

    2022 Hall of Fame Inductee, Franklin High School Alumni Association

    2019 Champions for Children Award, Children’s Alliance

    2019 Legislative Leadership Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee

    2017 Joseph Albert Dear Distinguished Alumna Award, The Evergreen State College

    2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation

    2017 Leadership in Sustainability Award, InterIm Community Development Association

    2016 Lifetime Community Achievement Award, New Beginnings Christian Fellowship Church

    2016 All Star Award, Washington School Counselors Association

    2014 Golden Bamboo Community Leadership Award, Filipino Community of Seattle

    2013 Pioneer Award, Digital Public Schools

    2012 Bridging the Gap Award, University of Washington Multicultural Alumni Partnership

    2012 Torch of Leadership Award, Association of Washington School Principals

    2011 Community Service Award, Japanese American Citizens League, Seattle Chapter

    2010 100 Pioneering Women Honoree, The Women’s Center at the University of Washington

    2010 Kip Tokuda Community Leadership Award, Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation

    2010 Multicultural Excellence Award, Washington State Association for Multicultural Education

    2009 Recipient, DesJardins Youth Financial Education State Lawmaker Award,Credit Union National Association

    2009 Inaugural Leadership and Vision Award, Junior Achievement of Washington

    2009 International Programs and Women’s Legislative Network Exchange delegate (South Africa), National Conference of State Legislatures

    2007 Community Award, InterIm Community Development Association

    2006 Leadership in Justice and Government award, Hate Free Zone

    2005 Crystal Eagle Leadership Award for Legislative Action, TABOR 100

    2000 Bernie Whitebear Award, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation

    1996 Celebrating Women’s Leadership Honoree, Washington State Women’s Political Caucus

    1995 NGO Delegate, Fourth World Conference on Women, United Nations Association, Beijing, China

    1993 “Keeping the Dream Alive” Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee