Diane Edith Watson, American state legislator. Recipient Mary Church Terrell award, 1976, Brotherhood Crusade award, 1981, Black Woman of Achievement award National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense Fund, 1988; named Alumnus of Year, University of California at Los Angeles, 1980, 82.
Background
Watson, Diane Edith was born on November 12, 1933 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Daughter of William Allen Louis and Dorothy Elizabeth (O"Neal) Watson. Associate of Arts, Los Angeles City College, 1954, Bachelor of Arts, University of California at Los Angeles, 1956.
Education
Student, Los Angeles City College. Bachelor in Education, University of California at Los Angeles, 1956. Master of Arts in School Psychology, California State University, Los Angeles, 1958.
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration, Claremont Graduate School, 1987.
Career
Teacher, administrator Los Angeles Unified School District, 1958—1976, school psychologist, 1967—1968. Member District 30 California State Senate, 1978—1982, member Dist 28, 1982—1990, member District 26, 1994—1998. United States ambassador to Micronesia United States Department State, 1998—2001.
Member United States Congress from 32nd California District, 2001—2003, United States Congress from 33rd California District, 2003—2011. Lecturer California State University, Long Beach. Health occupations specialist Bureau Industrial Education California Department Education, 1971—1973.
Board member Los Angeles Unified School District, 1975—1978. Delegate Democratic National Convention, since 1972.
Membership
Member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Black Woman of Achievement award 1988), California Elected Women Education & Research, National Organization Black Elected Legislators (president), United Teachers Los Angeles, California Teachers Association, Los Angeles Urban League, California Association School Psychologists, Alpha Kappa Alpha.