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Bonnie Watson Coleman Politician

Bonnie Watson Coleman (born February 6, 1945) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 12th congressional district since 2015. She previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 to 2015 for the 15th Legislative District. She is the first black woman in Congress from New Jersey.Watson Coleman served as the Majority Leader of the Assembly from 2006 to 2010, as well as the New Jersey Democratic State Chairwoman from 2002–2006. She served on the Governing Boards Association of State Colleges from 1987–1998 and as its chair from 1991-1993. Watson Coleman was a member of the Ewing Township Planning Board from 1996-1997. She was a member of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Board of Trustees from 1981–1998 and was its chair from 1990-1991.In 1974, she established the first Office of Civil Rights, Contract Compliance and Affirmative Action, in the New Jersey Department of Transportation and remained the Director of that office for six years. In 1980, Watson Coleman joined the Department of Community Affairs, where she held a number of positions including, Assistant Commissioner, responsible for Aging, Community Resources, Public Guardian and Women Divisions.Watson Coleman became the first African American woman to lead the State party when she was elected Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, on February 4, 2002.Watson Coleman received a B.A. from Thomas Edison State College in 1985, and attended Rutgers University. Born in Camden, she currently resides in Ewing Township. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.