Profile Text
Birth Name: Karen Ruth Bass
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: October 3, 1953
Ethnicity: African-American
Karen Bass is an American politician and social worker. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as Mayor of Los Angeles, California, since December 12, 2022. She has also been Majority Leader of the California Assembly, from December 4, 2006 to May 13, 2008, Speaker of the California State Assembly, from May 13, 2008 to March 1, 2010, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California, from January 3, 2011 to December 9, 2022, and Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, from January 3, 2019 to January 3, 2021. She is the first female Mayor of Los Angeles.
Karen is the daughter of Wilhelmina and DeWitt Talmage/Talmadge Bass, a postal letter carrier. She was raised in Venice and Fairfax, Los Angeles. She has a daughter with her former husband Jesus Lechuga. Karen is a Baptist.
Karen’s paternal grandfather was DeWitt Talmage/Talmadge Bass (the son of Francis Bass and Martha House). DeWitt was born in Tennessee or Texas.
Karen’s paternal grandmother was named Ora L. Ora was born in Texas.
Karen’s maternal grandfather was Thomas James Duckett (the son of Dennis Duckett and E. Glenn). Thomas was born in Georgia.
Karen’s maternal grandmother was Mattie Lee Battle (the daughter of F. Battle and Emma Bate). Mattie was born in Georgia.
Sources: Genealogy of Karen Bass (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Karen’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org