Diane Watson
Diane Watson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
| In office June 7, 2001 – January 3, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Julian Dixon |
| Succeeded by | Karen Bass |
| Constituency | 32nd district (2001–2003) 33rd district (2003–2011) |
| United States Ambassador to Micronesia | |
| In office October 19, 1999 – January 20, 2001 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Cheryl Martin (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Larry Miles Dinger |
| Member of the California Senate | |
| In office December 4, 1978 – November 30, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Nate Holden |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Murray |
| Constituency | 30th district (1978–1982) 28th district (1982–1994) 26th district (1994–1998) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Diane Edith Watson November 12, 1933 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) California State University, Los Angeles (MS) Harvard University Claremont Graduate University (PhD) |
Diane Edith Watson (born November 12, 1933) is a former American politician who served as US Representative for California's 33rd congressional district, serving from 2003 until 2011, after first being elected in the 32nd District in a 2001 special election. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located entirely in Los Angeles County and includes much of Central Los Angeles, as well as such wealthy neighborhoods as Los Feliz.
A native of Los Angeles, Watson is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and also holds degrees from California State University, Los Angeles and Claremont Graduate University. She worked as a psychologist, professor, and health occupation specialist before serving as a member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board (1975–78). She was a member of the California Senate from 1978 to 1998, and the US Ambassador to Micronesia from 1999 to 2000.
Watson was elected to Congress in a 2001 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Julian C. Dixon. She was re-elected four times, and retired after the end of the 111th Congress.