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Groups Urge Confirmation Hearing for Herman

Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal, together with other national women’s leaders launched a campaign for the confirmation of Alexis Herman, nominee for U.S. Secretary of Labor at a press conference on February 26. Smeal said, “Although Senator Jeffords (R-Vermont) has made public his intention to schedule the hearing, we urge him do so quickly and cast aside any more lingering political hoops. Thus far in the nominating process Herman has faced the ‘trial of a thousand leaks.’ The Herman appointment must not be held hostage to current investigations of White House political fund-raising. We believe it is all the more disturbing that the only African-American woman nominated to the Cabinet has been held up in an unprecedented process.”

As former Director of the Women’s Bureau and as co-chair of a Presidential Task Force to promote business ownership for women under President Carter, Herman is uniquely qualified for this position. Herman has led the fight for equal employment opportunities for women and people of color as head of the Minority Women Employment Program and has had a lifetime of preparation for the position of Secretary of Labor.

Last week, the AFL-CIO’s executive council approved a resolution in support of Herman. The executive council resolution said, “The AFL-CIO calls for immediate hearings on the nomination of this African American Woman. It is time for Alexis Herman to be able to stand in an open forum and have her nomination considered by the United States Senate.

Sources:

The Feminist Majority - February 25, 1997

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