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]
Early life
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]
Career
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]
Awards
King has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of New Haven,the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Howard University.[3]
Personal life
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.
