Watson, Barbara Mae, 1918-1983

Barbara Mae Watson (1918-1983) business woman, lawyer, government executive and diplomat. Watson was the first woman and first African-American Assistant Secretary of State, serving under Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. As Acting Administrator and Administrator, Watson headed the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of [Security and] Consular Affairs from 1966-1974 and 1977-1980. From 1980-1981, she was the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.

Born in New York City, Watson was educated at Hunter Model School and High School. She earned degrees from Barnard College and New York Law School. From 1946 to 1955 Watson was the owner and director of the African-American modelling agency and charm school, Brandford Models, Inc. (later changed to Barbara Watson Models). In 1958 until 1959 Watson served as coordinator of Student Activities at Hampton Institute. Upon graduation from law school in 1962 she worked as an attorney with three New York City government agencies; the Board of Statutory Consolidation of the City of New York, the Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York, and as director of the New York City Commission to the United Nations. Upon retirement from the U.S. State Department she entered private law practice with two Washington based firms specializing in international law and business development and trade. At the time of her death in 1983 she had received an appointment to the U.S. Department of State's Special Selection Board.

From the description of Barbara Mae Watson papers, 1929-1984. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122598247

Barbara Mae Watson (1918-1983) business woman, lawyer, government executive and diplomat. Watson was the first woman and first African-American Assistant Secretary of State, serving under Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. As Acting Administrator and Administrator, Watson headed the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of [Security and] Consular Affairs from 1966-1974 and 1977-1980. From 1980-1981, she was the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.

Born in New York City, Watson was educated at Hunter Model School and High School. She earned degrees from Barnard College and New York Law School. From 1946 to 1955 Watson was the owner and director of the African-American modelling agency and charm school, Brandford Models, Inc. (later changed to Barbara Watson Models). In 1958 until 1959 Watson served as coordinator of Student Activities at Hampton Institute. Upon graduation from law school in 1962 she worked as an attorney with three New York City government agencies; the Board of Statutory Consolidation of the City of New York, the Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York, and as director of the New York City Commission to the United Nations. Upon retirement from the U.S. State Department she entered private law practice with two Washington based firms specializing in international law and business development and trade. At the time of her death in 1983 she had received an appointment to the U.S. Department of State's Special Selection Board.

From the guide to the Barbara Mae Watson papers, 1929-1984, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)