JoAnn Watson

JoAnn Watson was born on April 19, 1951 and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was the daughter of Jefferson Nichols Sr. and Rev. Lestine Kent Nichols. Watson also was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humanities. ==Community activism==

Watson began her career in public service as the executive director of the Downtown Detroit YWCA. She would eventually rise to the position of assistant executive director of the National YWCA. From 1987 to 1990, she worked the New York headquarters and directed their Office of Racial Justice. She later worked the executive director of the Detroit NAACP. In 1989, Watson was selected as a delegate to the Women for Meaningful Summits/USA, which was held in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In 2016, Watson was chosen by American Girl as one of a six-member boardto advise them on the creation of Melody—a doll that depicts a 9-year old African American girl living in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement. ==Published writings==

Watson was a contributing author to "Should America Pay?", Dr. Raymond Winbush's 2003 publication on reparations, and wrote the foreword to Herb Boyd's 2017 book, ''Black Detroit: A People's History of Self Determination''. ==Political career==

Prior to her service as a member of the city council, Watson served as public liaison for Congressman John Conyers. On April 29, 2003, Watson won the Special Election 52% to 48%, defeating Gil Hill. Watson would subsequently win re-election to City Council and served as City Council President Pro Tem. In 2013, Watson announced her intention to retire. In December of that year, a celebration of her career was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, where Dick Gregory again was the headliner. ==Death==

Watson died on July 10, 2023, at the age of 72. ==See also==