Ms. Kilpatrick, who began her career as a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools, earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan. In 1978, she was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where she served for 18 years.
She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 13th district, in 1996 and was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, which authorizes spending for all areas of the federal government.