Waters, Maxine (1938-…), a California Democrat, became a member of the United States House of Representatives in 1991. From 1997 to 1999, Waters served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, an organization of African American members of Congress that promotes the interests of Black people. She has spoken out for women, children, the poor, and people of color.
Waters gained national attention in 1992 when she took an unpopular stand concerning American cities. Riots had broken out in Los Angeles after four white police officers were acquitted of charges stemming from the beating of a Black motorist named Rodney King. Waters urged Americans to try to understand the rioters, rather than condemn them. She said the rioting was caused not by anger at the acquittals, but by hopelessness and poverty.
Waters was born on Aug. 15, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, and went to work at the age of 13 to help support her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University in 1970. She served in the California State Assembly from 1976 to 1990. Waters was elected to her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990 and took office in 1991. She has been reelected to the House every two years since 1990.
