History of Frederica Wilson in Timeline

Frederica Wilson is an American politician currently serving as a U.S. Representative for Florida's 24th congressional district since 2011. Her district encompasses a significant portion of eastern Miami-Dade County, including many of Miami's majority-black communities. Wilson is noted for her political career in Congress and for gaining national recognition in 2012 following her public remarks regarding the death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager shot in Sanford, Florida.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

November 5, 1942: Frederica Smith Wilson's Birth

On November 5, 1942, Frederica Patricia Smith, later known as Frederica Smith Wilson, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1963: Earned bachelor's degree

In 1963, Frederica Wilson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University.

1963: Married Paul Wilson

In 1963, Frederica Wilson married Paul Wilson.

1972: Earned master's degree

In 1972, Frederica Wilson earned her Master of Arts degree from the University of Miami.

1988: Paul Wilson's death

In 1988, Paul Wilson, Frederica Wilson's husband, passed away.

1992: Joined Miami-Dade County School Board

In 1992, Frederica Wilson left her position as principal to serve on the Miami-Dade County School Board.

1998: Represented 104th district in Florida House of Representatives

In 1998, Wilson represented the 104th district in the Florida House of Representatives.

2002: Represented 33rd district in Florida Senate

In 2002, Wilson represented the 33rd district in the Florida Senate.

2006: Served as Minority Leader Pro Tempore

In 2006, Wilson served as Minority Leader Pro Tempore in the Florida Senate, then Minority Whip.

2008: Voted for Barack Obama and Joe Biden

In 2008, Frederica Wilson voted for Barack Obama and Joe Biden as one of Florida's presidential electors.

2009: FBI secured funding for building

In 2009, the FBI secured funding for the building, before Wilson became a congresswoman in 2011.

2010: Ran for the Senate seat

In 2010, Kendrick Meek vacated his seat as he ran for a seat in the Senate.

2010: Won election to Congress

In 2010, Wilson ran for the open seat in Florida's 17th congressional district and won the November 2 general election after winning the Democratic nomination.

2011: Became a member of the House of Representatives

In 2011, Frederica Wilson became a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Florida's 24th congressional district.

2011: Opposed the Tea Party

In 2011, Frederica Wilson vocally opposed the Tea Party, telling citizens at a Miami town hall meeting that the Tea Party is the real enemy and holds Congress hostage with the goal to make President Obama a one-term president.

2011: Wilson became a congresswoman

In 2011, Wilson became a congresswoman.

2011: Launched anti-hazing campaign

In 2011, Wilson was part of a coalition of African-American fraternity and sorority leaders who launched an anti-hazing campaign after the death of Robert Champion Jr.

March 2012: Accused George Zimmerman of racism

In March 2012, Frederica Wilson took a vocal stance on the death of Trayvon Martin. She suggested that George Zimmerman had "hunted" Martin based simply on his race and that Zimmerman should be arrested for his own safety.

March 2012: Called for Zimmerman's arrest.

In March 2012, Wilson called the death of Trayvon Martin a "classic example of racial profiling quickly followed by murder", and called for Zimmerman to be arrested.

April 1, 2012: Organized a rally for Zimmerman's imprisonment

On April 1, 2012, Wilson organized a rally in Miami calling for Zimmerman's imprisonment.

April 2012: Stated that Martin's death was murder

In April 2012, Wilson stated that Martin's death was "definitely" murder.

2012: Gained national attention for comments on Trayvon Martin's death

In 2012, Frederica Wilson gained national attention for her comments on the death of Trayvon Martin.

2012: Named to "The Grio 100"

In 2012, MSNBC's "The Grio" named Wilson to "The Grio 100".

2012: Proposed banning tutoring companies

In 2012, Wilson proposed that tutoring companies be banned from exploiting vulnerable children, "even if it means banning companies like Ignite! Learning, founded by ex-Governor Jeb Bush's brother, Neil".

July 13, 2013: Zimmerman acquitted of charges

On July 13, 2013, a jury acquitted Zimmerman of the charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

2015: FBI field office dedication in Miami

In 2015, Wilson attended the dedication of an FBI field office in Miami, which Kelly cited as an example of her "politicizing what should be sacred moments".

July 2016: Expressed shock and anger over Charles Kinsey's shooting

In July 2016, after the release of the video showing police shooting Charles Kinsey, Wilson tweeted that she was shocked and angered by the shooting.

October 4, 2017: Death of Sergeant La David Johnson

On October 4, 2017, Sergeant La David Johnson died in an attack in Niger.

October 16, 2017: President Trump called Johnson's widow

On October 16, 2017, President Donald Trump called Sergeant La David Johnson's widow while she was on the way to Miami International Airport for the arrival of Johnson's remains. Wilson was present during the phone call. She later reported that Trump had made insensitive remarks.

October 19, 2017: White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly's press briefing

On October 19, 2017, White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly gave a press briefing at the White House, defending Trump's comments and attacking Wilson for listening to the phone call with the widow of Sergeant La David Johnson.

2018: Election of two Muslim women to Congress

In 2018, two Muslim women were elected to congress.

January 3, 2019: Ilhan Omar's swearing in

On January 3, 2019, Ilhan Omar, wore a hijab to her swearing in. The rule was partially relaxed after the election of two Muslim women to congress in 2018

December 18, 2019: Voted to impeach Donald Trump

On December 18, 2019, Frederica Wilson voted to impeach Donald Trump.

April 17, 2026: Last appearance in Congress

April 17, 2026, was the last time Wilson appeared in Congress before missing 43 consecutive votes.

May 13, 2026: 43 consecutive votes missed

By May 13, 2026, Wilson had missed 43 consecutive votes in Congress, without providing a public explanation, though she remained active on social media.