Dianne Wilkerson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dianne Wilkerson
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Wilkerson in 2008
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| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 2nd Suffolk district |
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| In office 1993–2008 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Owens |
| Succeeded by | Sonia Chang-Díaz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 2, 1955 Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | American International College, Boston College |
| Occupation | attorney |
Dianne Wilkerson (born May 2, 1955) is a former American politician. She was a Democratic member of the Massachusetts Senate from 1993 to 2008. She represented the 2nd Suffolk District.
Wilkerson was the first African American woman to ever serve in the Massachusetts Senate. This was a historic achievement. Her time in office ended in 2008 after she faced serious legal problems. She resigned from her position in November 2008.
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Early Life and Education
Dianne Wilkerson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She later moved to Springfield, where she graduated from the High School of Commerce.
She went on to college and earned a degree in public administration from American International College in 1978. After that, she studied law and received a juris doctor degree from Boston College Law School in 1981. A juris doctor is the degree someone needs to become a lawyer. After finishing law school, she worked as a civil rights lawyer.
Political Career in the Massachusetts Senate
In 1992, Dianne Wilkerson ran for a seat in the Massachusetts Senate. She won the election and took office in 1993. This made her the first African American woman to become a state senator in Massachusetts.
Serving the People of Boston
As a senator, Wilkerson represented several neighborhoods in Boston. These included the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, and Roxbury. She also served parts of the Fenway, Dorchester, and Mattapan areas.
During her time in office, she was involved in many important committees. A committee is a group of lawmakers who focus on specific topics, like education or health. She was the Senate Chair for the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. She also served on committees for financial services, education, and mental health.
End of Her Senate Career
In 2008, Wilkerson lost her party's primary election to Sonia Chang-Díaz. A primary election is a vote to decide which candidate will represent a political party in the main election.
Later that year, Wilkerson faced legal issues that led to her leaving politics. She officially resigned from the Massachusetts Senate on November 19, 2008.
Later Attempts to Return to Politics
In April 2022, Wilkerson decided to run for the state Senate again. She entered the Democratic primary election for her old seat. However, she was not successful. She came in third place, and Liz Miranda won the primary.
