Remembering Alexis Herman: A Trailblazer for Labor and Civil Rights
The U.S. Department of Labor has lost a pioneering figure with the passing of Alexis Herman, the first Black Secretary of Labor, at the age of 77. Herman left an indelible mark on the American workforce during her tenure from 1997 to 2001, following a nomination by former President Bill Clinton. Her career spanned social work, civil rights, and Democratic politics, making impactful changes in each sector.
In a heartfelt statement, former President Clinton expressed, “Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Alexis Herman, our friend of nearly fifty years. Our hearts and prayers are with her family and all who loved and admired her.”
Current Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer also paid tribute, calling Herman “a trailblazer who dedicated her life to strengthening America’s workforce and creating better lives for hardworking families.”
Herman’s journey began in Mobile, Alabama in 1947, amidst the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws. “The struggle for civil rights was a daily part of our lives,” she once testified to Congress. Her educational path took her to Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically Black institution, where she graduated before working on school desegregation efforts in Mobile.
Her rise to prominence began when President Jimmy Carter appointed her to lead the Women’s Bureau at the Department of Labor in 1977. During an NPR interview that year, Herman outlined the bureau’s goals: “That means help women to get jobs. That means to help women find out about opportunities for jobs. That means informing women of their rights if they’re being discriminated against.”
Herman contributed to Jesse Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign and became the first Black woman CEO of the Democratic National Convention in 1992 before joining the Clinton administration. Reflecting on her life’s work, she once said, “I believe that our lives are a gift from God. And what we do with our lives is a gift to God.”
Her confirmation as Secretary of Labor was met with bipartisan support, including from Republicans like Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby. During her hearing, Herman stated, “I want workers to get and keep good jobs. I want working families to enjoy a rising standard of living. And I want workers and their families to have dignity and security throughout their lives.”
The news of her passing prompted an outpouring of respect and admiration from civil rights organizations, labor unions, and political leaders. The NAACP acknowledged her legacy, stating it “will continue to inspire generations.” The AFL-CIO praised her as “a trailblazer and relentless advocate for working people.” Susan Rice, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, remembered Herman as “a giant and cherished friend” and a “visionary.”
Herman’s dedication to diversity in the workplace and government was unwavering, and she continually motivated young people to engage in politics. In a 2016 commencement address at Agnes Scott College, she reminded students, “I fought for civil rights, I fought for voting rights, I fought for women’s rights in the ’70s. But now it’s your turn.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
