Alexis Herman, Pioneering Black Labor Secretary, Passes Away at 77

Alexis Herman, who broke barriers as a prominent figure within the Democratic Party and served as the first Black secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, passed away on Friday in Washington at the age of 77 after a brief illness, according to her family.

Her groundbreaking career included her role as a decisive player in resolving the major United Parcel Service strike, which threatened to paralyze logistics across the United States.

Prior to her tenure as labor secretary, Ms. Herman had a distinguished history with President Clinton. She was instrumental as the chief executive during the 1992 Democratic National Convention, and later served as deputy director for his transition team. During Clinton's first term, she also held the critical position of public liaison director at the White House.

Appointing her as labor secretary, President Clinton highlighted her impactful work at the Office of Public Liaison, where she was adept at garnering grassroots support for government initiatives. Clinton praised her dedication with the words, “She has been key in connecting Americans, from businesses to labor, as well as individuals and communities, with their government.”

Shortly after assuming her duties at the Labor Department, she was challenged with a national crisis when 185,000 UPS workers initiated a strike in August 1997, significantly disrupting parcel deliveries across the nation.

During this critical period, Herman navigated the challenges by tirelessly mediating discussions at a Washington hotel, encouraging UPS leaders and teamsters’ union representatives to strive towards a resolution.