Early Life and Education of Maxine Waters: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Maxine Waters. A timeline of key moments.

Maxine Waters is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for California's 43rd congressional district since 1991. Her district, previously numbered as the 29th and 35th, encompasses much of southern Los Angeles and parts of Gardena, Inglewood, and Torrance. She is known for her outspoken nature and progressive political views, advocating for social justice and economic equality.

Sections (4)

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

August 15, 1938: Maxine Waters Born

On August 15, 1938, Maxine Moore Waters, born Maxine Carr, was born in St. Louis, Missouri.

1938: Maxine Waters Born

In 1938, Maxine Waters was born in St. Louis, Missouri.

1961: Moved to Los Angeles

In 1961, Maxine Waters moved with her family to Los Angeles.

1971: Received Bachelor's Degree

In 1971, Maxine Waters received a bachelor's degree in sociology from Los Angeles State College, now California State University, Los Angeles.

July 1992: Waters Calls Bush a Racist

In July 1992, Maxine Waters called President George H. W. Bush "a racist" who "polarized the races in this country". She had previously suggested Bush used race to advance his policies.

1992: California's 29th district renumbered

In 1992, Maxine Waters' congressional district, the 29th, was renumbered as the 35th district.

1992: Waters' response to Rodney King verdict and LA riots

In 1992, following the Rodney King verdict, south-central Los Angeles erupted in riots. Maxine Waters gained national attention for leading a chant of "No justice, no peace" at a rally. She also helped deliver relief supplies and demanded vital services be resumed. Waters described the riots as a rebellion and a reaction to injustice.

1993: California's 29th district renumbered

In 1993, California's 29th congressional district, where Maxine Waters was representative, was renumbered as the 35th district.

1998: Waters Writes Letter to Castro Praising Policy Proposals

In 1998, Maxine Waters wrote Fidel Castro a letter, praising some of his policy proposals and thanking him for helping those who needed to "flee political persecution". She also criticized previous U.S. efforts to overthrow the Castro regime and called for an end to the U.S. trade embargo.

1998: Waters Asks Castro Not to Extradite Assata Shakur

In 1998, Maxine Waters wrote an open letter to Fidel Castro, requesting that he not extradite convicted terrorist Assata Shakur from Cuba. Waters argued that the Black community viewed Shakur's conviction as false.

1999: Waters Calls on Clinton to Return Elián González to Cuba

In 1999, Maxine Waters called on President Bill Clinton to return six-year-old Elián González to his father in Cuba. González had survived a boat journey from Cuba, during which his mother drowned, and had been taken in by U.S. relatives.

2004: Death of Gary Webb

In 2004, Gary Webb, the author of the San Jose Mercury News article that alleged CIA complicity in the Los Angeles crack epidemic, was found dead. His death was declared a suicide.

2004: Waters Opposes Coup in Haiti and Meets with Aristide

In 2004, Maxine Waters opposed the coup d'état in Haiti and criticized U.S. involvement. After the coup, she joined a delegation to meet with Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and bring him to Jamaica.

January 2008: Endorsed Hillary Clinton for Democratic Nomination

In late January 2008, Maxine Waters endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

August 2011: Waters criticizes Obama's support for the Black community

In August 2011, Maxine Waters criticized President Barack Obama for insufficient support of the Black community, citing the high African American unemployment rate. She mentioned that some African American members of Congress were hesitant to publicly pressure Obama.

August 20, 2011: Waters' Comments on the Tea Party

On August 20, 2011, at a town hall meeting, Maxine Waters criticized the Tea Party movement, saying, "the 'tea party' can go straight to Hell ... and I intend to help them get there."

October 2011: Public Dispute with Obama

In October 2011, Maxine Waters had a public dispute with President Obama. Waters argued that Obama focused more on swing voters in Iowa than on Black voters. In response, Obama urged Waters to "stop complaining" and work with him.

2011: Voted Against National Defense Authorization Act

In 2011, Maxine Waters voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 due to a controversial provision allowing indefinite detention without trial.

2012: Voted Against National Defense Authorization Act

In 2012, Maxine Waters was still serving as U.S. representative

2012: California's 35th district renumbered

In 2012, Maxine Waters' congressional district, the 35th, was renumbered as the 43rd district.

July 24, 2013: Voted in Favor of Amendment 100

On July 24, 2013, Maxine Waters voted in favor of Amendment 100 in H.R. 2397 Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2014, which aimed to limit the NSA's data collection activities.

2013: California's 35th district renumbered

In 2013, California's 35th congressional district, where Maxine Waters was representative, was renumbered as the 43rd district.

2014: Voted in Favor of Amendment 100

In 2014, Maxine Waters was still serving as U.S. representative

2016: Accusations of Russian collusion in 2016 presidential election

In 2016, allegations of Russian collusion during the presidential election surfaced, which later contributed to Maxine Waters' call for impeachment of Donald Trump.

February 2017: Waters on Trump's possible impeachment

In February 2017, Maxine Waters stated that Donald Trump was "leading himself" to possible impeachment due to conflicts of interest and creating "chaos and division".

July 2017: Reclaiming My Time

In July 2017, during a House Financial Services Committee meeting, Maxine Waters questioned Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, repeatedly using the phrase "reclaiming my time", which became a popular phrase on social media.

August 12, 2017: Waters Links Trump to Charlottesville Violence

On August 12, 2017, Maxine Waters linked Donald Trump to the violence at a white nationalist protest rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, stating that the White House "is now the White Supremacists' House."

September 2017: Waters' Eulogy at Dick Gregory's Funeral

In September 2017, during a eulogy at Dick Gregory's funeral, Maxine Waters stated she was "cleaning out the White House" and that Donald Trump would regret not being impeached.

October 2017: Waters Says Congress Has Enough Evidence for Impeachment

In October 2017, Maxine Waters said that the U.S. Congress had enough evidence to "be moving on impeachment" against Donald Trump, citing Russian collusion allegations and obstruction of justice.

2017: Most Recent Instance of Mace Being Employed for Disciplinary Purpose

As of 2017, the incident on July 29, 1994, where Maxine Waters was suspended from the House, was the most recent instance of the mace being employed for a disciplinary purpose.

2017: Waters' Comments on Trump and His Advisors

In 2017, Maxine Waters described Donald Trump as "a bully, an egotistical maniac, a liar" and "the most deplorable person I've ever met." She also referred to Trump's advisors with ties to Russia as "a bunch of scumbags" during an appearance on MSNBC's All In with Chris Hayes.

April 24, 2018: Waters Urges Trump to Resign

On April 24, 2018, at the Time 100 Gala, Maxine Waters urged Donald Trump to resign from office to avoid impeachment.

June 23, 2018: Waters Urges Harassment of Trump Officials

On June 23, 2018, Maxine Waters urged attendees at a rally in Los Angeles to harass Trump administration officials after Sarah Huckabee Sanders was denied service at a restaurant.

October 24, 2018: Pipe Bombs Sent to Waters' Offices

On October 24, 2018, packages containing pipe bombs were sent to two of Maxine Waters's offices. The packages were intercepted by the FBI and no one was injured. Similar packages were sent to other Democratic leaders and CNN.

2018: Waters' Response to Trump's State of the Union

In 2018, after Donald Trump's State of the Union address, Maxine Waters released a video criticizing what she saw as his racist viewpoint and actions, calling him "a dangerous, unprincipled, divisive, and shameful racist." Trump responded by calling her a "low-IQ individual."

June 18, 2019: Waters Asks Facebook to Halt Libra Development

On June 18, 2019, Maxine Waters requested that Facebook halt its plans for the development and launch of Libra, a new cryptocurrency, citing a lack of regulatory framework and concerns about privacy, security, and trading risks.

December 18, 2019: Waters Votes for Trump's Impeachment

On December 18, 2019, Maxine Waters voted for both articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, calling him "the worst president in the history of the United States."

2019: Cesar Sayoc sentenced for mailing bombs

In 2019, Cesar Sayoc pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for mailing pipe bombs to Maxine Waters and others.

May 2020: Waters' Sister Dies of COVID-19

In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maxine Waters confirmed that her sister, Velma Moody, had died of the virus at the age of 86.

October 1, 2020: Waters Condemns Azerbaijan's Actions in Nagorno-Karabakh

On October 1, 2020, Maxine Waters co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that condemned Azerbaijan's offensive operations against the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, denounced Turkey's role in the conflict, and called for an immediate ceasefire.

April 17, 2021: Waters Comments on Daunte Wright Protests and Chauvin Trial

On April 17, 2021, Maxine Waters' comments during protests over the killing of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, drew controversy. She expressed hope for a "guilty, guilty, guilty" verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial and suggested protesters should "stay on the street" and "get more active" if the verdict was not as desired.

April 19, 2021: Judge Criticizes Waters' Comments in Chauvin Trial

On April 19, 2021, the judge in Derek Chauvin's trial criticized Maxine Waters' comments as "abhorrent" and "disrespectful to the rule of law." The judge denied the defense's request for a mistrial but suggested Waters' comments could be grounds for appeal.