Mary D. Waters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Waters
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| Member of the Detroit City Council from the at-large district |
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| Assumed office January 1, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Janeé Ayers |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 4th district |
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| In office January 1, 2001 – January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Edward Vaughn |
| Succeeded by | Coleman A. Young II |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 27, 1955 Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Detroit Business Institute University of Michigan (BA) |
Mary D. Waters (born August 27, 1955) is an American politician. She is currently a member of the Detroit City Council, a position she has held since 2022. Before this, Waters was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007. She was the first African-American woman to lead the Democratic Party in the Michigan House.
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Early Life and Education
Mary Waters was born in Alabama on August 27, 1955. When she was young, she helped pick cotton in Greenville, Alabama. Later, as a teenager, she moved to Detroit with her family. Her father found work in the car industry there.
Waters went to the Detroit Business Institute. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. At the university, she studied communications and how people behave.
Political Career
On November 7, 2000, Mary Waters was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. She represented the 4th district of Michigan from January 2001 to 2006.
Leading in the Michigan House
From 2003 to 2006, Waters served as the Minority Floor Leader in the state House. This meant she was the main leader for the Democratic Party members in the House. She was the first African-American woman to hold this important role. She left office in 2006 because of "term limits." Term limits mean that a politician can only serve a certain number of years in a specific office.
While in the Michigan legislature, Waters worked with Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer later became Michigan's governor. Waters often reminded her colleague to focus on issues important to Detroit. These issues included job training and fair insurance rules. She also helped Whitmer connect with Black church groups in Detroit during her campaigns.
In 2010, Waters ran for State Senator but did not win the election.
Serving on the Detroit City Council
In 2021, Mary Waters won a seat on the Detroit City Council. This is a group of people who make decisions for the city of Detroit.
While on the City Council, she has suggested creating "gun-free zones" in downtown Detroit. She also spoke out against selling city-owned houses that people were already living in. She believed that putting people first was more important than making money from these sales.
In January 2022, Waters wanted to become the president of the Detroit City Council. However, the council members chose Mary Sheffield for that role. In October 2023, she proposed getting rid of all property taxes in Detroit.
Running for Congress
On February 8, 2024, Mary Waters announced she was running for the United States Congress. She is seeking to represent Michigan's 13th Congressional District. During her campaign, she has spoken about the importance of peace in global conflicts. She has also called for the safe return of people held captive.
