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Yvonne S. Wilson

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Yvonne S. Wilson
Member of the Missouri Senate
from the 9th district
In office
2005–2010
Preceded byMary Groves Bland
Succeeded byKiki Curls
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 42nd district
In office
1999–2005
Preceded byLloyd Daniel
Succeeded byJonas Hughes
Personal details
Born
Yvonne Delores Starks

(1929-03-22)March 22, 1929
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedOctober 14, 2019(2019-10-14) (aged 90)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
James Wilson
​
​
(m. 1947; died 2008)​
Children3
ProfessionEducator

Yvonne Delores Starks Wilson (March 22, 1929 – October 14, 2019) was a Democratic politician from Missouri. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri.[1][2]

Biography

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Wilson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lincoln University in elementary education in 1950 and a Master of Arts degree in sociology from University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1971. She received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Lincoln University in 1991.[3] Wilson graduated from Lincoln High School, Kansas City. She served in the Kansas City, Missouri School District for 35 years as a teacher, principal of the William Rockhill Nelson Elementary School, and Director of Elementary Education (1982-1985).[4] Wilson retired from the school district in 1985.[5] Wilson served as a Program Director for Metropolitan Community College and as the Director of the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center.[6] Wilson also served on multiple non-profit boards in Kansas City such as the City of Fountains Foundation and the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center and Museum Foundation. Wilson was the first Black woman to serve as the President of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.[7]

In 2001, Wilson co-authored the report "Closing the Achievement Gap: Improving Educational Outcomes for African-American Children" as a member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.[8]

Wilson was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in a special election in 1999. She served in that body through 2002. In 2004, she was first elected to the Missouri State Senate and continued to serve until 2010.[9] She served on the following committees:

  • Appropriations
  • Education
  • General Laws
  • Health, Mental Health, Seniors and Families
  • Joint Committee on Education[10]

In 2017, Wilson was added to the University of Missouri-Kansas City Starr Hall of Fame.[11]

In 2018, the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation renamed Liberty Park at E. 34th Terr. and Stadium Dr. in honor of Ms. Wilson.[12]

In 2019, Senator Wilson authored the book, "Living off Grandma's Sayings: From Leeds to the Legislature." [13]

References

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  1. ^ Schallhorn, Kaitlyn (Oct 14, 2019). "Yvonne Wilson, longtime Missouri state lawmaker, dies at 90". Retrieved Oct 17, 2019.
  2. ^ Yvonne Starks Wilson-obituary
  3. ^ "Biography - Senator Yvonne Wilson". www.senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  4. ^ "Former Missouri State Lawmaker Yvonne S. Wilson Dies at 90". KCUR 89.3 - NPR in Kansas City. Local news, entertainment and podcasts. 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  5. ^ Hockaday, Laura R. (1989-05-28). "Kansas City people". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 119. Retrieved 2023-01-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Legislator, Yvonne Wilson Missouri State Senate District 9 Former member Term in office began2005 Term in office ended2011 Political party Democratic Profession. "Yvonne Wilson". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-01-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "An Enduring Public Service Legacy". www.umkc.edu. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  8. ^ "Closing the Achievement Gap: Improving Educational Outcomes for African American Children". National Education Policy Center. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  9. ^ "Democratic Missouri state Sen. Yvonne Wilson dies". AP NEWS. 2019-10-16. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  10. ^ "Missouri State Senate - Senator Yvonne Wilson". www.senate.mo.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  11. ^ "Epitome of Public Service | UMKC Today Archives". info.umkc.edu. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  12. ^ "Yvonne Starks Wilson Park - KC Parks and Rec". Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  13. ^ "Living Off Grandma's Sayings by Yvonne Starks Wilson". The State Historical Society of Missouri. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
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