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. Throughout her tenure, she has represented various districts within southern Los Angeles, including portions of Gardena, Inglewood, and Torrance.

Sections (4)

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

August 15, 1938: Maxine Waters Born

On August 15, 1938, Maxine Moore Waters, née Carr, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She later became a prominent American politician.

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 that Bush had used race to advance his policies.

1992: Waters gains national attention during Rodney King riots

In 1992, Maxine Waters gained national attention during the Rodney King riots in south-central Los Angeles. She led a chant of "No justice, no peace" at a rally and helped deliver relief supplies in Watts. Waters described the riots as a rebellion against injustice and addressed the looting of Korean-owned stores.

1992: District Renumbering

In 1992, Maxine Waters' congressional district, which she represented since 1990, was renumbered as the 35th district.

1993: District Renumbering

In 1993, Maxine Waters' congressional district, which she represented since 1991, was renumbered from the 29th to the 35th district.

1998: Waters criticizes US efforts to overthrow Castro and sends Castro a letter

In 1998, Maxine Waters criticized previous U.S. efforts to overthrow the Fidel Castro regime in Cuba and demanded an end to the U.S. trade embargo. She also wrote Castro a letter calling the 1960s and 1970s "a sad and shameful chapter of our history" and thanked him for helping those who needed to "flee political persecution".

1998: Waters writes Castro an open letter about Assata Shakur

In 1998, Maxine Waters wrote Fidel Castro an open letter asking him not to extradite convicted terrorist Assata Shakur from Cuba, where she had sought asylum. Waters argued that much of the Black community regarded Shakur's conviction as false. Previously, Waters had supported a Republican bill to extradite Shakur.

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. Elián had survived a boat journey from Cuba, during which his mother had drowned, and was taken in by U.S. relatives.

2004: Death of Gary Webb

In 2004, Gary Webb, the author of the original San Jose Mercury News article alleging CIA complicity, died after being transferred from investigative reporting.

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. Following the coup, she joined a delegation to meet with Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and brought him to Jamaica, where he remained until May.

January 2008: Endorsed Hillary Clinton

In late January 2008, Maxine Waters, as a Democratic representative, endorsed Democratic U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton for the party's nomination in the 2008 presidential election.

August 2011: Waters Criticizes Obama's Support for Black Community

In August 2011, Maxine Waters criticized President Barack Obama for being insufficiently supportive of the black community, citing the high unemployment rate among African Americans. She stated that African American members of Congress were reluctant to criticize Obama because "y'all love the President."

August 20, 2011: Waters Criticizes Tea Party Movement

On August 20, 2011, at a town hall discussing displeasure among Barack Obama's supporters about the Congressional Black Caucus's lack of support for him, Maxine Waters criticized the Tea Party movement, stating, "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 Barack Obama, arguing that he paid more attention to swing voters in the Iowa caucuses than to black voters. Obama responded by telling her to "stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying" and to work with him.

2012: District Renumbering

In 2012, Maxine Waters' congressional district, which she represented since 1990, was renumbered as the 43rd district.

2013: District Renumbering

In 2013, Maxine Waters' congressional district, which she represented since 1991, was renumbered from the 35th to the 43rd district.

February 2017: Waters calls for Trump's impeachment

In February 2017, Maxine Waters began calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump, stating he was "leading himself" to possible impeachment due to conflicts of interest and creating "chaos and division."

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 Vows to "Clean Out the White House"

In September 2017, while giving a eulogy at Dick Gregory's funeral, Maxine Waters said that she was "cleaning out the White House" and that "when I get through with Donald Trump, he's going to wish he had been impeached."

October 2017: Waters says there is enough evidence to impeach Trump

In October 2017, Maxine Waters stated that the U.S. Congress had enough evidence against Donald Trump to "be moving on impeachment", referencing Russian collusion allegations during the 2016 presidential election, and accused Trump of obstructing justice.

2017: Mace Usage Update

As of 2017, the incident on July 29, 1994, where Maxine Waters' conduct led to the threat of the Mace of the House of Representatives being presented, remains the most recent instance of the mace being employed for disciplinary purposes.

2017: Waters criticizes Trump

In 2017, Maxine Waters called Donald Trump "a bully, an egotistical maniac, a liar and someone who did not need to be president" and "the most deplorable person I've ever met in my life." She also described 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 at Time 100 Gala

On April 24, 2018, while attending the Time 100 Gala, Maxine Waters urged Donald Trump to resign from office, stating, "So that I won't have to keep up this fight of your having to be impeached because I don't think you deserve to be there. Just get out."

June 23, 2018: Waters Urges Harassment of Trump Officials

On June 23, 2018, Maxine Waters urged attendees at a Los Angeles rally 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' offices. The packages were intercepted and investigated by the FBI, and no one was injured. Similar packages were sent to other Democratic leaders and CNN.

2018: Waters responds to Trump's State of the Union address

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

May 2020: Waters' Sister Dies of COVID-19

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

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

On April 17, 2021, Maxine Waters' comments while attending protests over the killing of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, drew controversy. Waters commented on the protests and the Derek Chauvin trial, stating, "I hope we get a verdict that says guilty, guilty, guilty. And if we don't, we cannot go away."

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

On April 19, 2021, the judge in the Derek Chauvin trial stated that Maxine Waters' comments were "abhorrent" and "disrespectful to the rule of law." He denied a request for a mistrial but suggested her remarks could be grounds for appeal.