Lionel Wilson (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lionel Joseph Wilson
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| 45th Mayor of Oakland | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | John H. Reading |
| Succeeded by | Elihu M. Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 14, 1915 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | January 23, 1998 (aged 82) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Gloria Towns (m. 1942) Dorothy P. McGuinness
(m. 1950) |
| Residences | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater |
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| Profession | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943-1946 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Lionel Joseph Wilson (born March 14, 1915 – died January 23, 1998) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He made history as the first African American mayor of Oakland, California. He served as mayor for three terms, from 1977 until 1991.
Contents
Life and Career of Lionel Wilson
Early Life and Education
Lionel Wilson was born on March 14, 1915, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the oldest of eight children. When he was young, his family moved to Oakland, California. His father worked there as a plasterer.
Lionel went to public schools in Oakland. He graduated from McClymonds High School in 1932. After high school, he attended the University of California, Berkeley. He earned a degree in economics in 1939.
From Baseball to Law
From 1939 to 1943, Lionel Wilson played semi-professional baseball. He was a pitcher for the Oakland Larks team. This team was part of the West Coast Negro Baseball League.
During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army in 1943. He served his country and rose to the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the army, he continued his education. He studied law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He earned his law degree in 1949. In 1950, he became a lawyer and started his own law practice.
Becoming a Judge
Lionel Wilson first tried to enter politics by running for the Berkeley City Council in 1953 and 1955. Later, he formed a law firm called Wilson, Metoyer & Sweeney.
In 1961, Governor Pat Brown appointed Wilson as a judge. He became a judge for the Alameda County Municipal Court. This made him the first African American judge in California. In 1964, Governor Brown promoted him to serve as a judge for the Alameda County Superior Court. He also joined the board of directors for the Metropolitan Oakland YMCA in 1962.
Mayor of Oakland
In 1977, Lionel Wilson was elected mayor of Oakland. He won the election against Dave Tucker. As mayor, he focused on improving downtown Oakland. He helped extend the Bay Area Rapid Transit system into the city.
During his time as mayor, Oakland faced a major natural disaster. This was the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Mayor Wilson helped the city recover and rebuild after the earthquake. He lost his re-election bid in 1990 to Elihu Harris. This happened after he tried to bring the Los Angeles Raiders football team back to Oakland, which was very expensive and did not succeed.
Later Years
After leaving the mayor's office in 1991, Wilson was appointed to the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. He served on the commission for one year. He worked with Carole Ward Allen, who was the president of the board. In 1992, the new mayor, Elihu Harris, removed him from the port commission.
Lionel Wilson was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He was also part of a group of important African American leaders in Northern California politics. They often met at the pharmacy of William Byron Rumford.
Lionel Wilson passed away on January 23, 1998, at the age of 82. He died from cancer.
Honors and Legacy
Lionel Wilson's contributions to Oakland are remembered in several ways. An office building at 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza is named in his honor. It is called the Broadway Building.
In 2002, a school was founded in Oakland called "Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy." It serves students from 6th to 12th grade. Also, at Oakland International Airport, Terminal 2 is named the "Lionel J. Wilson Terminal." This terminal is used by Southwest Airlines.
Personal Life
Lionel Wilson was married twice. With his first wife, Gloria, he had three sons: Steve, and twins Robin and Lionel. On August 12, 1950, he married Dorothy P. McGuinness in Los Angeles. His brothers included Harold, Kermit, Julius, and Warren Barrios Wilson. Warren was also a lawyer in Oakland.
See also
