Pinkie C. Wilkerson
Encyclopedia
Pinkie Carolyn Wilkerson (1948–August 1, 2000) was an African American
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from her native Grambling
, west of Ruston
, Louisiana
, who served from 1992 until her death in a six-vehicle traffic accident on Interstate 20
in Bossier City
, Louisiana. Wilkerson was particularly involved in the areas of health care and rural
development. Her District 11 included Claiborne Parish
and portions of Bienville, Lincoln
, and Union
parishes in North Louisiana. The district was especially created after the 1990 census
to guarantee an African American voter majority.
laboratory high school and then the university itself, located in Lincoln Parish. She received a master’s degree from Ohio University
in Athens
, Ohio
, and then an L.L.B. degree from historically black Southern University at Baton Rouge
. She also obtained an L.L.M. from Tulane University
in New Orleans.
From 1981-1984, she was an assistant professor at her alma mater
, the Southern University Law School. Thereafter, she was an assistant district attorney and an assistant state attorney general. While in the legislature, she continued her law practice in Grambling, where she was active in civic affairs, having served on the Grambling Economic Development Task Force.
defeat of State Representative David Duke
, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan
. Wilkerson defeated the white one-term incumbent, state Representative Kenneth L. Volentine
of Athens
in Claiborne Parish. who had led in the first nonpartisan blanket primary. Volentine polled 6,150 (46.9 percent) to Wilkerson’s 4,358 (33.2 percent). Two other candidates held the remaining 20 percent of the vote. In the general election held on November 16, 1991, Wilkerson unseated Volentine, 8,590 (51.8 percent) to 7,992 (48.2 percent).
In 1995, Wilkerson won a second term by defeating fellow African American Willie J. Young, 70-30 percent. In that same election, her 1991 rival, Kenneth Volentine, was handily elected to the first of two terms as sheriff
of Claiborne Parish. In 1999, she defeated fellow Democrat Douglas R. Sapp, 80-20 percent, in a low-turnout election.
Wilkerson was an active national Democrat, having been a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention
in Chicago, Illinois
, which renominated the Clinton
/Gore ticket. She was killed two weeks prior to the start of the 2000
convention in Los Angeles
, California
. She had been scheduled to be a delegate to that convention too, in which Vice President
Al Gore was nominated for the presidency.
Later chairman Gil Pinac
of Crowley
, a Democrat who later switched parties, described Wilkerson as an active member of the House, particularly on issues affecting rural areas: "Pinkie helped to keep us aware of the issues and the problems facing Louisiana, especially in the rural areas and those of the poor. And Pinkie was more than talk. She always followed through, introducing legislation and initiating projects to ensure that problems were exposed and discussed. She served as chair of the Rural Caucus Stroke Awareness and Cancer Awareness programs. We will mourn her passing and fondly remember her as a dedicated and loving member of our caucus and the House."
Wilkerson was best known for her work on education and social issues. She initiated the Youth Academy 2000, by which children are afforded the opportunity to learn directly from professionals in such fields as mathematics, science, computers, medicine, music, and entrepreneurship. She promoted awareness programs regarding diabetes, cancer
, lupus
, and cardiovascular disease
. She introduced legislation to prohibit so-called "drive-through” mastectomies
. She pushed to create an incentive program to reward those parishes with reduced rates of school dropout and teen pregnancy.
In 1993, she succeeded in obtaining passage of a bill to establish a 24-hour statewide hot line for compulsive gamblers
, with the contact number placed in gambling establishments and on lottery
tickets. That same year she succeeded in passing legislation to authorize courts to issue restraining and protective orders for abused parents. She also labored to include grandparents and grandchildren within the coverage of family violence programs.
She pushed for street lights for the Interstate 20 exchange at Grambling State University, an accomplishment that came after her death through the intervention of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu
, a Wilkerson political ally.
considers her a role model for state legislators and presents an annual "Pinkie C. Wilkerson Outstanding State Legislator of the Year Award" to a deserving recipient. She is further honored through the establishment of the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Development Center, a non-profit organization
in Grambling. A short street in Gibsland
in Bienville Parish, within her House district, is named for Wilkerson.
At the time of her death, then Louisiana Speaker
Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
, described Wilkerson, accordingly: "{One] could define the term 'dedicated public servant' with two words—Pinkie Wilkerson. That is what she was. Her constituents came first and she worked tirelessly to see that they were represented. Sometimes [one] would get to work in the morning and find a message from Pinkie sent late the night before about a problem she was working on for her district. She was always on the job. Pinkie loved the House of Representatives. She was a loyal, active, extremely hard working member. It is difficult to accept her sudden and untimely death. I can speak for all of my colleagues in saying that she was a positive influence and will not be forgotten. . . . "
Wilkerson was preceded in death by her mother. Her father, Calvin Wilkerson (1911-2000) of Grambling, died forty-five days after his daughter’s passing. In addition to a son, John Barabin, Jr., she had a sister and a brother.
In a special election called to fill Wilkerson’s District 11 seat, victory went to another African American Democrat Richard “Rick” Gallot, Jr.
In 2007, Wilkerson’s sister, Delores Wilkerson Smith, failed in an effort to dislodge Gallot in the primary election, having received fewer than 17 percent of the ballots cast.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from her native Grambling
Grambling, Louisiana
Grambling is a city in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,693 at the 2000 census. The city is home to Grambling State University and is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, west of Ruston
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who served from 1992 until her death in a six-vehicle traffic accident on Interstate 20
Interstate 20
Interstate 20 is a major east–west Interstate Highway in the Southern United States. I‑20 runs 1,535 miles from near Kent, Texas, at Interstate 10 to Florence, South Carolina, at Interstate 95...
in Bossier City
Bossier City, Louisiana
Bossier City is a city in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, United States.As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 61,315. Bossier City is closely tied to its larger sister city Shreveport, located on the western bank of the Red River. The Shreveport-Bossier City metropolitan area is the...
, Louisiana. Wilkerson was particularly involved in the areas of health care and rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
development. Her District 11 included Claiborne Parish
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Claiborne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Homer and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.-History:The parish is named for the first Louisiana governor, William C. C. Claiborne....
and portions of Bienville, Lincoln
Lincoln Parish, Louisiana
Lincoln Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Ruston. In 2004, its population was estimated to be 42,382...
, and Union
Union Parish, Louisiana
Union Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Farmerville....
parishes in North Louisiana. The district was especially created after the 1990 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
to guarantee an African American voter majority.
Early years, education, law practice
Wilkerson graduated from the historically black Grambling State UniversityGrambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
laboratory high school and then the university itself, located in Lincoln Parish. She received a master’s degree from Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
in Athens
Athens, Ohio
Athens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, and then an L.L.B. degree from historically black Southern University at Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. She also obtained an L.L.M. from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans.
From 1981-1984, she was an assistant professor at her alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, the Southern University Law School. Thereafter, she was an assistant district attorney and an assistant state attorney general. While in the legislature, she continued her law practice in Grambling, where she was active in civic affairs, having served on the Grambling Economic Development Task Force.
Politics and elections
Wilkerson won her House seat on the same day that Edwin Washington Edwards returned to the Louisiana governorship for his fourth term in a ringing general electionGeneral election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
defeat of State Representative David Duke
David Duke
David Ernest Duke is a former Grand Wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan an American activist and writer, and former Republican Louisiana State Representative. He was also a former candidate in the Republican presidential primaries in 1992, and in the Democratic presidential primaries in...
, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
. Wilkerson defeated the white one-term incumbent, state Representative Kenneth L. Volentine
Kenneth Volentine
Kenneth Lee Volentine is a livestock and dairy farmer who previously served as a state representative and sheriff of his native Claiborne Parish in north Louisiana.-Background:...
of Athens
Athens, Louisiana
Athens is a village in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.The Pilgrim's Pride poultry hatchery in Athens was designated for closure early in 2009, along with other company businesses in nearby Arcadia in Bienville Parish, Choudrant in Lincoln...
in Claiborne Parish. who had led in the first nonpartisan blanket primary. Volentine polled 6,150 (46.9 percent) to Wilkerson’s 4,358 (33.2 percent). Two other candidates held the remaining 20 percent of the vote. In the general election held on November 16, 1991, Wilkerson unseated Volentine, 8,590 (51.8 percent) to 7,992 (48.2 percent).
In 1995, Wilkerson won a second term by defeating fellow African American Willie J. Young, 70-30 percent. In that same election, her 1991 rival, Kenneth Volentine, was handily elected to the first of two terms as sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Claiborne Parish. In 1999, she defeated fellow Democrat Douglas R. Sapp, 80-20 percent, in a low-turnout election.
Wilkerson was an active national Democrat, having been a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention
1996 Democratic National Convention
The 1996 Democratic National Convention of the was held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois from August 26 to August 29, 1996. Incumbent Democrat Bill Clinton was renominated for President of United States.-Site selection:...
in Chicago, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, which renominated the Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
/Gore ticket. She was killed two weeks prior to the start of the 2000
2000 Democratic National Convention
The 2000 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention for the Democratic Party. The convention nominated Vice President Al Gore as its candidate for President and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman as its candidate for Vice President. The convention was held at...
convention in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. She had been scheduled to be a delegate to that convention too, in which Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Al Gore was nominated for the presidency.
House service
In the House, Wilkerson was the vice chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee and served on the Civil Law and Procedure and Judiciary committees. She was the first female chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Rural Caucus, having attained that position in 1997.Later chairman Gil Pinac
Gil Pinac
Gillis James Pinac, known as Gil Pinac is a former 12-year Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Crowley, the seat of Acadia Parish...
of Crowley
Crowley, Louisiana
Crowley is a city in and the parish seat of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2000 census. The city is noted for its annual International Rice Festival. Crowley has the nickname of "Rice Capital of America", because at one time it was a major center for...
, a Democrat who later switched parties, described Wilkerson as an active member of the House, particularly on issues affecting rural areas: "Pinkie helped to keep us aware of the issues and the problems facing Louisiana, especially in the rural areas and those of the poor. And Pinkie was more than talk. She always followed through, introducing legislation and initiating projects to ensure that problems were exposed and discussed. She served as chair of the Rural Caucus Stroke Awareness and Cancer Awareness programs. We will mourn her passing and fondly remember her as a dedicated and loving member of our caucus and the House."
Wilkerson was best known for her work on education and social issues. She initiated the Youth Academy 2000, by which children are afforded the opportunity to learn directly from professionals in such fields as mathematics, science, computers, medicine, music, and entrepreneurship. She promoted awareness programs regarding diabetes, cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, lupus
Lupus
Lupus most commonly refers to the disease systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus may also refer to:-Medicine:* Lupus erythematosus, a chronic autoimmune disease with several different forms...
, and cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels . While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system , it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis...
. She introduced legislation to prohibit so-called "drive-through” mastectomies
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
. She pushed to create an incentive program to reward those parishes with reduced rates of school dropout and teen pregnancy.
In 1993, she succeeded in obtaining passage of a bill to establish a 24-hour statewide hot line for compulsive gamblers
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, with the contact number placed in gambling establishments and on lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
tickets. That same year she succeeded in passing legislation to authorize courts to issue restraining and protective orders for abused parents. She also labored to include grandparents and grandchildren within the coverage of family violence programs.
She pushed for street lights for the Interstate 20 exchange at Grambling State University, an accomplishment that came after her death through the intervention of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu
Mary Landrieu
Mary Loretta Landrieu is the senior United States Senator from the State of Louisiana and a member of the Democratic Party.Born in Arlington, Virginia, Landrieu was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana...
, a Wilkerson political ally.
Legacy
Wilkinson has been honored by numerous groups. The African American National Bar AssociationNational Bar Association
The National Bar Association was established in 1925 as the "Negro Bar Association" after Gertrude Rush, George H. Woodson, S. Joe Brown, James B. Morris, and Charles P. Howard, Sr. were denied membership in the American Bar Association. It represents the interests of African-American attorneys in...
considers her a role model for state legislators and presents an annual "Pinkie C. Wilkerson Outstanding State Legislator of the Year Award" to a deserving recipient. She is further honored through the establishment of the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Development Center, a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
in Grambling. A short street in Gibsland
Gibsland, Louisiana
Gibsland is a town in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, United States. Conveniently near Interstate 20 and less than an hour from both Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana, Gibsland offers small town living with access to urban amenities...
in Bienville Parish, within her House district, is named for Wilkerson.
At the time of her death, then Louisiana Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
Charles W. DeWitt, Jr.
Charles W. "Charlie" DeWitt, Jr. , is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, having served from District 25 from 1980 to 2008. He was the Speaker of the House from 2000 to 2004 during the second term of Republican Governor Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr...
, described Wilkerson, accordingly: "{One] could define the term 'dedicated public servant' with two words—Pinkie Wilkerson. That is what she was. Her constituents came first and she worked tirelessly to see that they were represented. Sometimes [one] would get to work in the morning and find a message from Pinkie sent late the night before about a problem she was working on for her district. She was always on the job. Pinkie loved the House of Representatives. She was a loyal, active, extremely hard working member. It is difficult to accept her sudden and untimely death. I can speak for all of my colleagues in saying that she was a positive influence and will not be forgotten. . . . "
Wilkerson was preceded in death by her mother. Her father, Calvin Wilkerson (1911-2000) of Grambling, died forty-five days after his daughter’s passing. In addition to a son, John Barabin, Jr., she had a sister and a brother.
In a special election called to fill Wilkerson’s District 11 seat, victory went to another African American Democrat Richard “Rick” Gallot, Jr.
Rick Gallot
Richard Gallot, Jr., known as Rick Gallot , is an incoming Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate from District 29, which encompasses the African American portions of seven parishes: Bienville, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, and Winn parishes...
In 2007, Wilkerson’s sister, Delores Wilkerson Smith, failed in an effort to dislodge Gallot in the primary election, having received fewer than 17 percent of the ballots cast.