She’s a politician who wears many hats. See Frederica Wilson’s collection
By Miami Herald Archives
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson greets Bill Clinton after endorsing her support for Hillary Clinton during a Miami Gardens campaign stop.
Carl Juste
cjuste@miamiherald.com
Along with her advocacy for South Florida issues and people, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson is best known for her hats.
She has hundreds of them in her colorful collection.
“My hat is so much a part of me,” she told the Miami Herald in 2019. That was when she considered taking off her attention-getting hats over security threats at the time.
As a state lawmaker and congresswoman, Wilson has rarely emerged without a hat during her many public appearances and news briefings in Miami, Tallahassee and Washington. Her collection includes head-toppers in an array of colors and styles, and it’s a look that she adopted to honor her grandmother and namesake.
Let’s take a look at Wilson’s hats at various appearances through the years:
Gallery of hats
Sate Sen. Frederica Wilson at legislative news briefing on insurance reform. ROBERTO KOLTUN Miami Herald File
State Sen. Frederica Wilson, D Miami Gardens, poses wearing one of her many signature hats at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. Scott Keeler Tampa Bay Times
Scott Keeler Tampa Bay Times
Scott Keeler Tampa Bay Times
Scott Keeler Tampa Bay Times
Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., attends the Women’s Impact Luncheon at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Friday, March 11, 2022. Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson talks to attendees following a $3 Million check presentation to the museum on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami. The museum intends on using the money to create more gallery space inside the building and renovate some of the existing spaces. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson kicks off her reelection campaign for Congress representing Florida’s 24th district during an event at Briza on the Bay restaurant at the Doubletree Hotel on 1717 N Bayshore Dr., in downtown Miami, Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Sam Navarro Special for the Miami Herald
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson leads a press conference with elected officials and community activists at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex’s theater in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson talks to reporters after visiting the ICE Broward Transitional Center following a death, on Friday May 2, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade Inc announce the funding of the Dr. Frederica S. Wilson Club at Dr. Frederica S. Wilson/Skyway Elementary School to bring after school and summer programs to youth in the area. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson gives her remarks after visiting the Krome detention center on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
A pink hat in 2005. MARICE COHN BAND Miami Herald File
Rep. Frederica Wilson, founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project speaks to Miami-Dade County students at an HIV awareness conference being at North Shore Medical Center, Friday, July 27, 2001. Jeffrey Boan Miami Herald File
In 2000, Congresswoman-elect Frederica Wilson attends Sunday Mass. Carl Juste Miami Herald File
Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, arrived with U.S. President Barack Obama, at the Miami airport for a town hall meeting on immigration at Florida International University on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. PEDRO PORTAL EL Nuevo Herald
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson gives remarks in North Miami. Carl Juste
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson speaks during an event to unveil an expanded memorial cemetery in Liberty City's Simonoff Park, in memory to those lost to COVID, on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson talks at Townhall on gun violence and school safety meeting at Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Auditorium at Miami Gardens on April 5, 2018. Alexia Fodere For the Miami Herald
Frederica Wilson and Joe Biden.
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson greets Bill Clinton after endorsing her support for Hillary Clinton during a Miami Gardens campaign stop. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Frederica Wilson holds her 3-month-old grandson Trent Wilson as she celebrates with supporters at The Chef Creole Seasoned Kitchen on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010. Al Diaz Miami Herald
In 2002, State Rep. Frederica Wilson.
In 2002, Miami Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson. Alex Kolyer Miami Herald File
