Alexis Herman

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 Maymi
Succeeded by	Lenora Alexander
Personal details
Born	Alexis Margaret Herman (1947-07-16)July 16, 1947 Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Died	April 25, 2025(2025-04-25) (aged 77) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Charles Franklin ​ ​ (m. 2000; died 2014)​
Relatives	Alex Herman (father)
Education	Edgewood College Spring Hill College Xavier University of Louisiana (BA)

Alexis Margaret Herman (July 16, 1947 – April 25, 2025) was an American political figure who served as the 23rd United States secretary of labor from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. She was the first Black American to hold the position. She was previously Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

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.