Barbara M. Watson

Barbara M. Watson
Barbara M. Watson, receiving an award, from a 1975 publication of the U.S. State Department.
5th Assistant Secretary of State for Security and Consular Affairs
In office
August 12, 1968  December 31, 1974
Preceded byAbba P. Schwartz
Succeeded byLeonard F. Walentynowicz
7th Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
In office
April 13, 1977  August 17, 1980
Preceded byLeonard F. Walentynowicz
Succeeded byDiego C. Asencio
7th United States Ambassador to Malaysia
In office
September 25, 1980  March 1, 1981
PresidentJimmy Carter
Preceded byRobert Hopkins Miller
Succeeded byRonald D. Palmer
Personal details
Born(1918-11-05)November 5, 1918
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 18, 1983(1983-02-18) (aged 64)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
RelationsJames Lopez Watson (brother)
J. Bruce Llewellyn (cousin)
Colin Powell (cousin)
Parent(s)James S. Watson, Violet Lopez Watson
Alma materBarnard College

Barbara Mae Watson (November 5, 1918 – February 18, 1983) was a lawyer, United States diplomat, the seventh Ambassador to Malaysia, and the first Black person and the first woman to serve as an Assistant Secretary of State.