Maxine Waters is an American congresswoman who has been serving as the U.S. representative of California's 43rd congressional district since 1991. Regarded as one of the most influential women in politics, Waters has also been a champion of the rights of women, children, people of color, the underprivileged, and various segregated communities. She decided to join politics while working with the 'Head Start' program. Before becoming a congresswoman, Waters was associated with a movement to end apartheid in South Africa and make it a democratic nation. She was then elected to the ‘U.S. House of Representatives.’ Waters has represented a large portion of South Los Angeles; the communities of Westchester, Playa Del Rey, and Watts; and the independent areas of Los Angeles County. She is the first woman and the first African–American to chair the 'House Financial Services Committee.' Waters is also part of the 'Congressional Democratic Leadership,' the 'Steering & Policy Committee,' the bipartisan 'Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease,' and the 'Congressional Progressive Caucus.' She has formerly chaired the 'Congressional Black Caucus.' In her career spanning over 4 decades, Waters has undertaken various crucial and controversial issues. She has been a prominent advocate of cross-border peace, justice, and human rights.