Remembering Alexis Herman: Trailblazer and Former Labor Secretary

Remembering Alexis Herman: A Trailblazer in Labor Rights

WASHINGTON – The labor movement mourns the loss of Alexis Herman, an influential figure in labor rights and the first African American to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, Herman's tenure was marked by her commitment to improving working conditions and advocating for labor as a fundamental human right.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders paid tribute to Herman's legacy, emphasizing her pioneering role in the labor movement. He highlighted her journey from overcoming segregation in Alabama as a student to becoming a key figure in advancing labor rights. In his words,

“Alexis Herman was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, from her earliest days as a student overcoming segregation in Alabama to her historic tenure as the first African American to lead the U.S. Department of Labor. She believed deeply in labor rights as human rights. Her leadership as Secretary of Labor opened the door to higher wages and safer working conditions for millions of people across America and around the world. Secretary Herman’s belief in public service as a fundamental good is shared by all 1.4 million members of the AFSCME family, and today we join the entire labor movement in mourning her loss.”

During her time as Secretary of Labor, Herman was instrumental in pushing for reforms that led to improved wages and working conditions, impacting the lives of workers both domestically and internationally. Her leadership left an enduring legacy of advocacy and public service, resonating with 1.4 million members of the AFSCME union and the broader labor movement.