Shirley Weber
| Shirley Weber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 79th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 3, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Marty Block (redistricted) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1948 Hope, Arkansas |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Widowed |
| Residence | San Diego, California |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Professor of African-American Studies, San Diego State University |
| Religion | Christian |
Shirley Weber is a politician from San Diego, California. She is the member of the California State Assembly representing the 79th district.[1] The district includes portions of San Diego, Chula Vista, and National City and all of Lemon Grove and La Mesa. She is the first African American from south of Los Angeles to be elected to the California State Legislature.[2] She is a Democrat.
Early life and education
Her parents were from Arkansas; she was raised in a poor section of Los Angeles. Her father had only a sixth-grade education but pushed Weber and her seven siblings to strive for excellence. She went to the University of California, Los Angeles where she earned three degrees by the time she was 26: a bachelor's of arts in 1970, a master's of arts in 1971, and a PhD in communications in 1975.[2]
Academic career
Weber is a professor emeritus of Africana studies at San Diego State University. She helped to establish that department in 1972 and became its chair, teaching there for 40 years. She was president of the National Council for Black Studies from 2002 to 2006.[3]
Elective office
She served as a board member and later president of the San Diego Board of Education from 1988 to 1996. She also served as chairwoman of the San Diego Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission.[2]
In Fall 2011 she was recruited to run for assembly by assemblymember Toni Atkins. Atkins has regarded Weber as an inspiring role model ever since hearing her speak as a school board member.[2] In November 2012 Weber defeated her Republican opponent, Mary England, by 61.7% to 38.3%.[4] Weber says her focus as an assemblymember will be education.
Tenure
Weber sits on the Assembly's Committee on Higher Education. She has been promoting the development of a state university in Chula Vista, possibly beginning as a satellite or extension campus of the California State University system.[5]
Personal life
She is a widow whose husband, Judge Daniel Weber, died in 2002. She has two children.
References
- ↑ "Democrats Win Supermajority in California Assembly". NBC San Diego. November 15, 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Walker, Mark (November 18, 2012). "Shirley Weber forges path with historic win". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ↑ "Department of Africana Studies: Faculty". San Diego State University. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ↑ "State Assemblymember" (PDF). November 6, 2102 General Election. Secretary of State, State of California. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
- ↑ Bowler, Matthew (August 4, 2014). "Assemblywoman Shirley Weber Wants To Make Chula Vista University A Reality". KPBS. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
