Maxine Waters was born on August 15, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1970, Waters received her Bachelor degree from California State University, Los Angeles. She was a member of the California Assembly from 1976-1990. Maxine Waters was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1990; she began her first term in 1991.

Maxine Waters is the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip, and the lead Dem on the House Financial Services Committee.