John A. Wilson (politician)
| John A. Wilson | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia | |
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In office 1991–1993 |
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| Preceded by | David A. Clarke |
| Succeeded by | David A. Clarke |
| Member of the Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 2 | |
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In office 1975–1991 |
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| Preceded by | none, position created |
| Succeeded by | Jack Evans |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
September 29, 1943 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | May 19, 1993 (aged 49) Washington, D.C. |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Bonnie Brio Wilson |
| Occupation | politician |
John A. Wilson (September 29, 1943, Baltimore, Maryland – May 19, 1993, Washington, D.C.) was an American politician. He served as the first Councilmember from the District's Ward 2.
Raised by adoptive parents on the Eastern Shore, Wilson quit college to become an organizer and later national vice chairman for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. During a stint as a community organizer in New York City, he worked with Malcolm X, whom he bragged once called him "one of the funniest guys in the movement." 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 was co-chairman for the campaign of Walter E. Fauntroy, who became the city's first delegate to Congress. Wilson ran successfully for the council in 1974. In the 1960s, Wilson was active in the civil rights movement, first with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and then with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He moved to Washington, D.C., as associate director of the National Sharecroppers Fund. He was also co-chaired the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee and was elected to represent D.C. on the Democratic National Committee in 1992.
Wilson served in 1974 as the chairman of the drive to approve the referendum to adopt the Home Rule Charter for the District of Columbia. The charter allowed residents for the first time to elect both a mayor and a 13-member city council called the Council of the District of Columbia. After approval of the charter in 1974, Wilson successfully ran for election to the council, representing Ward 2, which at that time was the most diverse ward in the city. He represented Ward 2 until he was sworn in as chairman of the council on January 2, 1991. He served as chairman until his death by suicide in 1993.
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