Alexis Herman, the first Black U.S. Secretary of Labor and a champion for working families, died on Friday at the age of 77.
Herman made history when former President Bill Clinton nominated her to lead the Labor Department at the start of his second term. She was confirmed and sworn in as Labor Secretary in 1997, becoming the first Black person to hold the position.
“Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Alexis Herman, our friend of nearly fifty years,” the Clintons said in a joint statement. “Alexis was gifted in so many ways. She was a skillful and creative administrator who, at 29, became the youngest person to direct the Women’s Bureau at the Department of Labor under President Carter.”
Throughout her career, Herman was widely respected for her leadership, vision, and commitment to equity. Current Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, described her as a “trailblazer who dedicated her life to strengthening America’s workforce and creating better lives for hardworking families.”
Before her historic appointment, Herman served in several key roles, including Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison during the Clinton administration and Deputy Director of Clinton’s transition team.
She also began her public service under President Jimmy Carter as the youngest ever director of the Women’s Bureau at the Department of Labor.
Beyond government service, Herman was deeply involved in political organizing. She held several roles within the Democratic National Committee (DNC), where she was credited with helping modernize the party and lending her expertise to presidential campaigns, including those of Jesse Jackson and John Kerry.
Ken Martin, Chair of the DNC, praised Herman for paving the way for future generations.
“Her work lifted families after Hurricane Katrina and the Haiti earthquake, strengthened presidential campaigns, and most importantly, always centered working-class people,” he said.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, Herman was heavily influenced by her father, a lawmaker who helped integrate Alabama’s Democratic Party. She carried those lessons with her throughout her life, often reaching back to support her hometown community through charitable initiatives and by championing education.
Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) reflected on her legacy, writing, “Countless people from Mobile to DC can attribute their career success in whole or in part to Alexis Herman. I am proud to have known her, and blessed to have had her life and career to serve as inspiration for my own. Thank you, Ms. Herman, and job well done.”
