Burke, Yvonne Brathwaite (1932–)

African-American politician. Name variations: Yvonne Brathwaite. Born Pearl Yvonne Watson in Los Angeles, California, Oct 5, 1932; dau. of James T. Watson (janitor at MGM film studios) and Lola (Moore) Watson; attended University of California, Berkeley, 1949; University of California, Los Angeles, BA, 1953; University of Southern California School of Law, JD, 1956; m. Louis Brathwaite, 1957 (div. 1964); m. William A. Burke, June 14, 1972; children: (2nd m.) Autumn Roxanne (b. 1973).

Outspoken and articulate advocate of social welfare, was admitted to California state bar (1956); went into private practice; was an attorney for the McCone Commission (1965), which investigated the causes of the Watts riot; was the 1st African-American woman to be elected to California General Assembly; elected to Assembly for 3 terms, supported prison reform, child care for underprivileged, equal job opportunities for women, and increased federal aid to education; as a Democrat, served as California's 1st black US congresswoman (93rd-95th Congresses, Jan 3, 1973–Jan 3, 1979); was the 1st congressional representative to be granted a maternity leave (1973), and the 1st woman selected to chair the Congressional Black Caucus (1976); served on Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and later transferred to Committee on Appropriations, where she called for additional federal funding of community nutrition programs; did not seek reelection (1978); served on Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (1979–80); elected to 4-year term as a Los Angeles County supervisor (1992), then re-elected (1996).

See also Women in World History.