Hon. Alexis Herman

(1947 - )

Alexis Herman became U.S. Secretary of Labor in 1997 - the first African American ever to hold the position. During an era of sweeping change, she used her position to help women and minorities share in the growing prosperity. She began her political career as the youngest director of the Women's Bureau in the history of the Labor Department. She went on to direct the White House Public Liaison Office and to found a company to counsel states and cities on labor markets. She now speaks throughout the country, is actively involved in the Urban League, and chairs the Coca-Cola Company's task force on diversity.