Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton on the Passing of Alexis Herman

Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the loss of Alexis Herman, our friend of nearly fifty years. 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. She would go on to serve in my transition as deputy director, in the White House as public liaison director, and in the Cabinet as the first African American Secretary of Labor. She was a very valuable cabinet member and a good friend, especially after the devastating loss of our mutual friend, Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, and his delegation in Croatia in 1996.

In 2006, after Hurricane Katrina, President George H.W. Bush and I asked her to co-chair the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. And in 2010, following the earthquake in Haiti, President George W. Bush and I asked her to join the board of the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund. She was instrumental in both efforts, which raised and disbursed millions of dollars and provided much-needed relief.

Throughout her career, Alexis worked to empower women and strengthen families in her roles at Coca-Cola, Toyota, the Urban League, and the National Council of Negro Women where she worked alongside her mentor Dorothy Height. She also lent her considerable political skills to our presidential campaigns, and those of Jesse Jackson and John Kerry. In every effort, she lifted people with her unfailing optimism and energy. We’ll miss her very much. Our hearts and prayers are with her family and all who loved and admired her.