Gwendolyn King | |
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Commissioner of the Social Security Administration | |
In office August 1, 1989 – September 30, 1992 | |
President | George H. W. Bush |
Preceded by | Dorcas Hardy |
Succeeded by | Louis Enoff (Acting) |
Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs | |
In office April 17, 1986 – May 2, 1988 | |
President | Ronald Reagan |
Preceded by | Deborah Steelman |
Succeeded by | Andy Card |
Personal details | |
Born | East Orange, New Jersey, US | September 23, 1940
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | |
Education | Howard University (BA) George Washington University (MPA) |
Gwendolyn S. King (born September 23, 1940)[1] is an American businesswoman. From 1989 to 1992 she was the Commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration.[2]
King attended Howard University as an undergraduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and education in 1962.[3][4] She later attended the George Washington University for graduate courses in public administration.[3][4]
King began her career teaching in Niagara Falls, New York and Washington, DC.[1]
Beginning in 1971, she worked for the Department of Health and Human Services (then called the Department of Health, Education and Welfare).[4]
From 1978 to 1979,[1] she served as senior legislative assistant to Senator John Heinz.[5]
In 1986, she was appointed Deputy Assistant to President Ronald Reagan and Director of the office for Intergovernmental Affairs.[6]
In 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed King as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.[7] King became the 11th Commissioner[1] and the first black woman to hold the position.[4] She served through 1992.[8]
King is a retired member of the board of directors of Marsh and McLennan Companies, Lockheed-Martin Corporation and Monsanto Company.[9] She is also formerly a director of Pharmacia. She is also a past director of the National Association of Corporate Directors.[10]
King has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of New Haven,the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Howard University.[3]
King is married to Colbert I. King, Washington Post columnist and the editorial page's deputy editor.[11] The two met at Howard in the late 1950s[12] and married in 1961.[13] They have three adult children.