As a candidate, President-elect Barack Obama made clear his commitment to equal opportunity, and today’s cabinet announcements begin to fulfill those values. I know from personal experience that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is admired and trusted around the world and, as she carries out the responsibilities of Secretary of State, I am confident that the well-being of the world’s women will be on her mind.
In addition, Gov. Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security and Eric Holder as Attorney General will bring knowledge and experience to the Cabinet, and well as a commitment to the core values of equality and human rights. NOW has worked with all three of these nominees, and we look forward to collaborating with them on violence against women and other civil, immigrant and women’s rights concerns.
Finally, Susan Rice will bring foreign policy depth as ambassador to the United Nations, and the intended return of that position to Cabinet rank will bring the count to three women (of nearly two dozen possible) at that level. We hope that the diversity of today’s nominations will be mirrored in future selections, and look forward to working with the Obama-Biden administration to expand equality and human rights at home and abroad.
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