Diane Watson ’56

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Diane Watson, the first African-American female senator in the history of California, is a popular legislator representing District 28. Her career in public service began with her involvement in education administration in 1960; she earned a seat on the Los Angeles City Board of Education in 1975.

Her hands-on involvement in the field of education and her high caliber of professional achievement have made her an effective advocate for public education. She has been a school principal, school psychologist and health occupations specialist with the California State Department of Education. Her fluency in several languages has also enabled her to teach gifted children in Okinawa and France.

Watson serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Urban League and the Governor’s Task Force on Civil Rights. Her demonstrated interest in serving the public sector beyond the accepted responsibilities of her profession has earned her the YWCA Outstanding Community Service Award.

Watson received her degree in education from UCLA in 1956 and her master’s in school psychology from CSULA in 1967. She recently was named Outstanding Alumnus of CSULA.