 Her mother Joan and father John were both involved in the civil rights movement, which greatly influenced her belief about the importance of political engagement, and instilled values which she researches and discusses today.Political involvement and activism has been a very common ideal in Sheryll Cashin’s family which is what subsequently has led to Cashin’s pursuit of racial issues including segregation and inequality.Her father John L. Cashin, Jr. challenged George Wallace in the 1970 gubernatorial election in Alabama.