John A. Wilson served as a member of the D.C. Council from 1974 until 1993. He had represented Ward 2 for 16 years before winning the chairman's seat in 1990. He was known for his knowledge of the city's budget and influence over the city's finances. Prior to his work in the D.C. Government, he had been a civil rights activist as an early organizer and later vice chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. In 1969, Wilson became the legislative director for the National Sharecropper's Fund, an advocacy group for migrant farm workers. He helped run its Washington office for six years. In 1971, Wilson served as co-chairman for the campaign for Walter Fauntroy for D.C.'s delegate to Congress.
From the description of John A. Wilson papers, 1974-1993. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 229458735
