Did You Know Congresswoman Maxine Waters Was Born on This Day?

This Day In History: August 15th

Whether you know her for her vocal opposition to political administrations or from a social media meme, Congresswoman Maxine Waters has been around for decades campaigning for the rights of the poor and disenfranchised. Waters is considered by many to be a powerful voice in American politics.

Here are five things to know about Representative Maxine Waters! 

1. Her Origin Story. She was born Maxine Moore Carr on August 15, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents had a total of 13 children and she was fifth out of her siblings. By the age of 13, she was already working in factories and segregated restaurants. She married Edward Waters, her first husband, after graduating high school and the couple relocated to California. She graduated from California State University in 1970.

2. Inspiration To Enter The World Of Politics. Prior to working in politics, Maxine Waters got her start in public service by becoming a teacher in the Watts area of Los Angeles. She even served as a volunteer coordinator for Head Start, which is a federally funded program aimed at helping low-income students succeed academically. However, her career took a turn towards politics when she was elected to the California State Assembly from 1977 to 1991. 

3. A Career With Much Longevity. After her tenure in the California State Assembly, Waters was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1991. Representative Waters has served in this role for three decades and has worked with six different presidential administrations (George Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden). In addition to having a career with such longevity, Rep. Waters was also the first woman and first African-American Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. 

4. Stance On The Issues. With over 30 years of political prowess behind her, Rep. Waters is no stranger to tackling difficult or controversial issues. Since entering Congress, she is behind more than 500 sponsored legislation and more than 4,100 co-sponsored legislation. Waters has used her platform to address issues such as homelessness, veteran affairs, renters’ protection from eviction, child abuse prevention and policing. 

5. Charity Efforts. Looking out for disenfranchised populations has been a recurring theme in the career of Rep. Waters. She is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Black Women’s Forum, which was aimed towards African-American women in the Los Angeles area. She also founded Project Build during the 1980s as a way to connect youth in Los Angeles with adequate job training and placements. 

Representative Maxine Waters’s efforts to advance marginalized communities have not gone unnoticed and she has even become a popular figure amongst younger audiences due to her social media presence. She has successfully led her districts over the years and continues to be a respected voice in American politics.