Senator Yvonne S. Wilson, (Democrat), elected to the Senate in August 2004 following 5 years experience in the Missouri House of Representatives, holds a leadership position as Minority Caucus Secretary in the Missouri Senate. Sen. Wilson represents part of Jackson County in the Missouri Senate. She serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Education Committee and the Mo Health Facilities Review Committee.
A native Kansas Citian, Sen. Wilson completed undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate studies in higher education in the state of Missouri. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, in 1950, the Master of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City IN 1971 and the educational specialist degree in School Administration in 1976. Lincoln University bestowed upon Sen. Wilson the Honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree in 1991.
Prior to legislative duties, Sen. Wilson spent 35 years with The School District of Kansas City, Missouri as a teacher, consultant, principal, and retired from the position of Director of Elementary Education in 1985. The first African-American to serve as President of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, Sen. Wilson later was a candidate for President-elect of the 25,000 member National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Senator Wilson is a member of the Executive Committee of the Mo State Democratic Committee; Missouri Legislative Women's Caucus, Vice President of the Mo Legislative Black Caucus; Vice President, Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation; Committeewoman of the Jackson County 16th ward; an executive member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and a member of the National Organization of Black Elected Women (NOBEL). As a member of the NBCSL Education Committee, she is co-author of the committee's nationally published "Closing The Achievement Gap: Improving Education Outcomes for African American Children."
Numerous community involvements for Sen. Wilson include President of Spirit of Freedom Foundation, Inc; membership on the Kansas City, City of Fountains Foundation Board of Directors; Mid America Regional Council Early Learning Board; The Kansas City Sister Cities Association. Sheraton Estates Neighborhood Association, Lincoln University Alumni Association; St. Louis Catholic Church, and is the recipient of many local, state, national awards and recognitions.
Sen. Wilson has traveled extensively including trips to Russia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, England, France, Tanzania and China.
Sen. Wilson currently resides in Kansas City with her husband of 55 years, Jim. They have three children: Berishia Wilson Chamberlain, Alycia Rodriguez Nichols and James E. (Jay) Wilson, (deceased); six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
