Biography
Maxine Moore Waters, born on August 15, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, is a prominent American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district since 1991. The district encompasses parts of Los Angeles, including Westchester and Playa Del Rey, as well as the cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, and Torrance.
Waters is renowned for her fearless advocacy on behalf of women, children, people of color, the poor, veterans, and seniors. She has been affectionately dubbed "Aunty Maxine" by millennials who appreciate her dedication to issues important to them.
Education and Political Experience
Education: Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Los Angeles.
California State Assembly: Elected in 1976, Waters served for 14 years, rising to the position of Democratic Caucus Chair. During her tenure, she was instrumental in passing significant legislation, including the largest divestment of state pension funds from South Africa during apartheid, landmark affirmative action laws, and the nation's first statewide Child Abuse Prevention Training Program.
U.S. House of Representatives: Since her election in 1990, Waters has been a formidable presence in Congress. She made history as the first woman and first African American to chair the House Financial Services Committee, serving from 2019 to 2023. She currently serves as the committee's Ranking Member. Waters is also a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Notable Achievements and Positions
Legislative Leadership: Waters has been at the forefront of tackling challenging issues throughout her career. She spearheaded the development of the Minority AIDS Initiative in 1998 to address the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS among minorities, securing funding that has grown to approximately $400 million per year. She also authored the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, providing $6 billion in grants to combat foreclosures and revitalize neighborhoods.
Community Engagement: Following the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest, Waters founded Community Build, a grassroots rebuilding project aimed at revitalizing affected areas. She has been a staunch advocate for expanding contracting and procurement opportunities for African American entrepreneurs and has supported women seeking public office.
National Influence: Waters has been a key figure in Democratic Party politics, serving on the Democratic National Committee since 1980 and playing significant roles in multiple presidential campaigns. She is also the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease.
Throughout her more than 40 years of public service, Maxine Waters has remained a dedicated and influential advocate for social justice, economic equality, and community empowerment.
