Alexis Herman
Alexis Margaret Herman (born July 16, 1947) formerly served as the 23rd U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton; she was the first African-American to hold the position. Prior to serving as Secretary, she was Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Alexis Herman | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1998 | |
| 23rd United States Secretary of Labor | |
| In office May 1, 1997 – January 20, 2001 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Deputy | Kathryn O. Higgins |
| Preceded by | Robert Reich |
| Succeeded by | Elaine Chao |
| 12th Director of the Office of Public Liaison | |
| In office January 20, 1993 – February 7, 1997 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Cecile B. Kremer |
| Succeeded by | Maria Echaveste |
| 8th Director of the Women's Bureau | |
| In office April 4, 1977 – January 20, 1981 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Carmen R. Maymi |
| Succeeded by | Lenora C. Alexander |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alexis Margaret Herman July 16, 1947 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Charles Franklin
(m. 2000; died 2014) |
| Education | Edgewood College Spring Hill College (transferred) Xavier University of Louisiana (AB) |
Herman grew up in Mobile, Alabama. After college, she worked to improve employment opportunities for black laborers and women. She then joined the administration of Jimmy Carter, working as director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau. She became active in the Democratic party, working in the campaigns of Jesse Jackson and then serving as chief of staff for the Democratic National Committee under Ronald H. Brown. She joined the cabinet of President Bill Clinton in 1997.
Following the defeat of Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, Herman remained active in Democratic politics, in addition to her participation in the private sector, serving on the boards of corporations such as Coca-Cola and Toyota.