Early Years
Maxine Waters was born in 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri and grew up in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. She attended California State University, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology.
Maxine Waters is married to Sidney Williams, a former US Ambassador to the Bahamas. They have two children, Karen and Edward.
Career
California Assembly
Maxine Waters first entered public service in 1976 when she was elected to the California Assembly. During her time in the Assembly, Waters was a staunch defender of civil rights and a champion of economic justice. She introduced legislation to protect women from gender-based discrimination and legislation to improve access to healthcare and education for all Californians. Waters served in the Assembly for eight years and was recognized for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of Californians.
US Congress
Maxine Waters has made a name for herself as a member of the US Congress, representing the 43rd District of California. She has served in the US House of Representatives since 2013. Waters is known for her dedication to civil rights, economic justice, and improving the lives of working families and women. She has been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his policies. Waters is one of the most powerful and influential figures in Congress, and is a leader in the fight for equality.
Cointelpro
Maxine Waters is a fierce advocate for civil rights and a vocal opponent of Cointelpro, the FBI’s domestic surveillance program that targeted political activists and civil rights leaders in the 1960s and 70s. She has long been a staunch critic of the program, calling it “one of the worst examples of government overreach in our nation’s history.” Waters has consistently called for greater oversight of the FBI and other government agencies to ensure that civil rights are not violated in the pursuit of national security.
Accomplishments
Maxine Waters' five major accomplishments include the passage of the Consumer Credit Protection Act, the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, the passage of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1998, the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, and the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Legacy
Maxine Waters has had a long and distinguished career in public service. She has been an advocate for civil rights, equal opportunities, and economic justice. Her tireless efforts to improve the lives of working families and women has been an inspiration to many. She will be remembered as a leader who was not afraid to speak her mind and fight for what she believed in.
