Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror and Former Congresswoman Diane Watson Receives Street Naming Honor in Los Angeles

On August 21, 2025, the city of Los Angeles celebrated the legacy of Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror Diane Edith Watson with the official co-naming of a portion of Coliseum Place, from Victoria Avenue to Crenshaw Boulevard, as the Diane Watson Corridor.

The dedication ceremony, led by Councilwoman Heather Hutt, paid tribute to Watson’s extraordinary contributions to public service, civil rights, education, and international diplomacy. A native of Los Angeles and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Watson has been a formidable force in American politics for over four decades.

“Diane Watson dedicated her life to the people of Los Angeles, tirelessly working to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable communities,” said Councilwoman Hutt. “The Diane Watson Corridor stands as a permanent reminder of her profound impact and the generations she continues to inspire.”

Diane Watson’s political résumé is as groundbreaking as it is extensive. She was the first Black woman elected to the California State Senate, where she served for 20 years. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, she later served as the U.S. Ambassador to Micronesia before being elected to Congress in 2001. Representing California’s 32nd and later 33rd Congressional Districts, Watson served until her retirement in 2011.

Before her political career, she earned degrees from UCLA, Cal State LA, and Claremont Graduate University, and served as a psychologist and educator. She joined Alpha Kappa Alpha as an undergraduate through UCLA’s Alpha Gamma Chapter and has remained committed to the values of sisterhood and service throughout her life.

The Diane Watson Corridor not only honors her legacy but also serves as a visible beacon of Black excellence, political leadership, and the enduring impact of Black Greekdom in shaping America’s cities.