Barbara M. Watson ’39’s distinguished career in Washington, D.C., outlasted numerous presidencies, including those of Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter. Despite the systematic and social discrimination Watson faced because of her race, the attorney, lecturer, and public servant embodied —- and contributed to — Barnard’s legacy of resilient women.
This legacy continues to be honored this spring, which marks the beginning of a three-year celebration of the acclaimed American writer and the College’s first Black student, Zora Neale Hurston (1925–1928). The Zora Neale Hurston Centennial and 100 Years of Black Students at Barnard will honor Hurston, as well as the remarkable accomplishments of Black alumnae throughout the century. On February 20, this year’s Lewis-Ezekoye Distinguished Lecture in Africana Studies, featuring award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat ’90, is part of a series of kick-off events for Barnard’s three-year-long celebration of Black excellence.
Watson, who arrived at Barnard less than a decade after Hurston graduated, similarly achieved many “firsts” throughout her career. Before becoming the first Black person to serve as U.S. assistant secretary of state, the government major became the first Black student to compete in the annual Barnard Greek Games and, later, the first Black member of the Board of Trustees of the College.
“Our family was public service orientated,” said Watson, of the influence her family had on her, in The Clarion-Ledger in 1977. “I was raised listening to people with principles … so I was persuaded things had to be done.” Her father, James S. Watson, served as New York State’s first elected Black judge, while her mother, Violet Lopez, was one of the founders of the National Council of Negro Women. Both parents were Jamaican immigrants.
After graduating third in her class from New York Law School in 1962, Watson founded Brandford Models, Inc., an African American modeling agency and etiquette school, which was the first of its kind to receive modeling contracts from white businesses. She remained in New York as an attorney for the Board of Statutory Consolidation and the United Nations from 1964 to 1966.
From 1966, Watson’s career at the State Department was marked by rapid advancement. After two years, Watson — who had previously served as an assistant to the deputy under secretary of state for administration — was nominated by President Johnson for the position of assistant secretary of state for security and consular affairs. In this role, she spearheaded U.S. passport procedures through the implementation of new laws and policies related to visas, passports, and the protection of citizens abroad. Her significant contributions were recognized in 1974 with the Luther I. Replogle Award for Management Improvement.
Watson took a brief departure from her government role to work as a legal consultant and a college lecturer during the Nixon administration, which replaced her with Republican lawyer Leonard F. Walentynowicz. The Carter administration returned Watson to her previous position and later appointed her U.S. ambassador to Malaysia.
During her tenure, Watson developed a professional relationship with Gaynor I. Jacobson, executive vice president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) — a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian care to refugees and asylum seekers. She worked closely with the organization, attended various lectures and conferences, and was invited as a guest of honor during HIAS’s 88th annual meeting.
Watson’s achievements were recognized nationally and internationally. She received honorary doctorates from the University of Maryland and Mount St. Mary’s College,was a board member of Fordham University, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and Barnard College, and was honored as a Commander of the National Order of the Republic of the Ivory Coast.
In recognition of Watson’s dedication to excellence and bipartisanship, the State Department memorialized her impact by renaming the Consular Officer of the Year Award the “Barbara M. Watson Award for Consular Excellence” after she died in 1983. She was 64 years old.
—TARA TERRANOVA ’25
“You Oughta Know” is produced in collaboration with the Barnard Archives and Special Collections.
