Douglas Wilder Quotes
A collection of quotes by Douglas Wilder.
Douglas Wilder, born on January 17, 1931, is an American politician and lawyer who made history as the first African American to be elected as a governor in the United States. Wilder served as the governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, Wilder graduated from Virginia Union University and attended law school at Howard University. He started his career in politics as a member of the Virginia State Senate, where he served for 16 years, from 1969 to 1985. During his tenure, Wilder advocated for civil rights, education reform, and government transparency.
In 1985, Wilder became the first African American to be elected as lieutenant governor in Virginia. His victory paved the way for his historic election as the governor of Virginia in 1989. During his term, Wilder prioritized fiscal responsibility and pushed for reforms in education and criminal justice.
After leaving office, Wilder remained active in public life, teaching at Virginia Commonwealth University and serving as mayor of Richmond from 2005 to 2009. He also launched several unsuccessful bids for political offices, including a run for the U.S. Senate and a campaign for president.
Douglas Wilder's groundbreaking achievements have made him an influential figure in American politics, breaking racial barriers and inspiring future generations of African American politicians.
