First elected in 2006, Sheryl Cole is the first African American woman elected to the Austin City Council. A resident of Austin for over 30 years, Sheryl earned her B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1986, working for two years with the Big Five accounting firm Ernst & Young. In 1989, Sheryl returned to the University of Texas for law school, earning her J.D. in 1991 and joining the law firm Wright & Greenhill. In 1995, Sheryl became staff counsel at the Texas Municipal League, where she served until 2001. Sheryl then worked for the law firm of Cole and Powell as an associate for five years. In 2006, she was elected to the Austin City Council and reelected in 2009 and 2012. She became Mayor Pro Tem in 2011. Married to Austin attorney Kevin Cole, Sheryl is the mother of three boys - Marcus, Nelson and Femi. The Coles live in the Wilshire Woods neighborhood. The family belongs to David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Sheryl is a past president of the Robert E. Lee Elementary School PTA, a former Board member of Leadership Austin, The Austin Area Urban League, and Communities in School. Sheryl also served as Tri-Chair of the 2004 AISD Citizen Bond Committee, and was appointed by former mayor Kirk Watson to serve on the 1988 City of Austin Citizen Bond Committee.