A00085 - Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, Congressperson from Los Angeles

Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (b. October 5, 1932) was a politician from Los Angeles, California, United States. She was the first African-American woman to represent the West Coast in Congress. She served in congress from 1973 until the end of 1978. She was the Los Angeles County Supervisor representing the 2nd District (1992–2008). She served as the Chair of the Board of Supervisors three times (1993–94, 1997–98, 2002–03).

Born Perle Yvonne Watson on October 5, 1932, in Los Angeles to James A. Watson and the former Lola Moore. She married William A. Burke in Los Angeles on June 14, 1972. To this union was born a daughter, Autumn Roxanne on November 23, 1973.

Burke attended the University of California at Berkeley from 1949 to 1951; and the University of California at Los Angeles from 1951 to 1953 where she received a bachelor's degree;  She then attended the University of Southern California Law School and received a juris doctor degree in 1956