(By Bill O'Leary for The Washington Post)

Contact Information
Background from The Post

Both labor unions and congressional Republicans initially opposed the nomination of longtime Democratic operative Alexis Herman to the Clinton Cabinet. Her role as director of public liaison at the White House had brought controversy – particularly her attendance at the now-infamous White House coffees. After taking office, however, Herman was widely praised for her handling of the UPS strike in the summer of 1997.

Sworn in: May 9, 1997

Succeeded: Robert Reich

Previous occupation: Assistant to President Clinton and director of the White House Public Liaison Office, 1993-96; deputy director of the Presidential Transition Office, 1992; chief executive officer of the 1992 Democratic National Convention Committee, 1991-92; chief of staff at the DNC; founder and president of A.M. Herman & Associates; the Labor Department's Women's Bureau, 1977-81; national director of the Minority Women Employment Program of R-T-P Inc., in Atlanta; social worker for Catholic Charities, 1969.

Education: Xavier University, 1969

Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

Of note: Herman is the country's 23rd Labor secretary and the first African American in the position. She is the fourth woman to serve as secretary in the agency's 84-year history.

Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20210
(202) 219-6666
FAX: (202) 219-8699
E-mail: Secretary-of-Labor@dol.gov
http://www.dol.gov/