Pinkie C. Wilkerson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the LouisianaHouseofRepresentatives from the 11th district | |
| In office January 1, 1992 –August 1, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Rick Gallot |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 8,1948 Grambling,Lincoln Parish Louisiana,USA |
| Died | August 1,2000 (aged 52) Bossier City,Bossier Parish, Louisiana,USA |
| Political party | Democratic [1] |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | |
Pinkie Carolyn Wilkerson (February 8, 1948-August 1, 2000) was an American politician who served in the Louisiana House of Representatives in the 11th district from 1992 until her death on August 1, 2000. [2] [3]
Wilkerson was born on February 8, 1948, in Grambling, Louisiana. [2] [3] She attended Grambling State University Lab High School and earned her bachelor's degree from Grambling State University. [2] [3] She earned a Master of Arts degree from Ohio University in Athens, a Juris Doctor from Southern University, and an L.L.M. from Tulane University. [3]
Wilkerson began her law practice in Grambling in 1979. [2] She then served as assistant district attorney in the 3rd Judicial District of Lincoln and Union parishes, and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. [2] [3] From 1981 to 1984, she was an Assistant Professor at Southern University Law School. [3]
In 1992, Wilkerson began serving in the newly created 11th district of the Louisiana House of Representatives, which includes Claiborne Parish and parts of Bienville, Lincoln and Union parishes. [4] [5] She served as the Vice Chair of the Health & Welfare Committee, served on the Civil Law and Procedure and Judiciary Committees and was the first and only female chair of the Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus. [2] [4] [6] Wilkerson's focus in the legislature was on education, healthcare and social issues. [2] [4]
In 1993, Wilkerson sponsored legislation establishing a 24-hour statewide compulsive gamblers helpline, also having the number placed in gambling establishments and on lottery tickets. [2] The same year, she passed legislation authorizing courts to issue restraining and protective orders for abused parents. [3] Later, in 1995, Wilkerson passed legislation that included grandparents and grandchildren within the coverage of the family violence programs related to community-based shelters for victims of family violence. [3]
Wilkerson introduced legislation to prohibit "drive-through mastectomies," to study the problem of providing prescription drugs to the indigent, and established an Incentive Award Program awarding parishes for reducing the drop-out and teen pregnancy rates. [7] She also sponsored seminars and awareness programs on diabetes, cancer, lupus, and heart disease. [4] [7]
Wilkerson also initiated the Youth Academy 2000, which is a series of skill classes that provide opportunities for children to learn alongside professionals in such areas as science, computers, mathematics, medicine, music, and entrepreneurship. [3] [7]
Wilkerson was killed on August 1, 2000, in a multi-car accident while she was stopped at a highway construction site on Interstate-20 in Bossier City, Louisiana [2] [4]
After Wilkerson's death, the African American National Bar Association established an award in her name. [6] The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority established the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Development Center in Grambling. [6] In 2015, House Bill 140 dedicated the interchange of I-20 and LA 49 at Grambling to Wilkerson. [4] [6] [7]