Wilson, Frederica, 1942-

Frederica Smith Wilson (born Frederica Patricia Smith, November 5, 1942) is a politician who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 2011, representing Florida's 24th congressional district. She gained national attention in early 2012 as a result of her high-profile comments on the death of Trayvon Martin. Wilson is a member of the Democratic Party.

Born Frederica Smith on November 5, 1942, in Miami, Florida, Wilson earned her bachelor of arts degree from Fisk University in 1963 and her master of arts degree from the University of Miami in 1972, both in elementary education. After time as a teacher and assistant educational coordinator for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Head Start program, she served as the principal of Skyway Elementary School in Miami, which was recognized as one of the best schools in America in President George H. W. Bush’s “America 2000” plan to upgrade national education standards. In 1992 she left her position as principal to serve on the Miami-Dade County School Board.

...