As we move forward in a new administration, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the unprecedented diversity of the members nominated for cabinet positions. It is gratifying to see so many women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals tapped for positions at the highest level of our government.
If all of President Biden’s nominees are confirmed, it will be the first time in our nation’s history that there are 12 women filling cabinet positions and the first time a majority of the positions will be held by people of color.
Here are the history-making picks:
- Kamala Harris, the first woman and first person of color as Vice President.
- Janet Yellin will be the first woman Secretary of the Treasury.
- Lloyd Austin will be the first African American to be Secretary of Defense.
- Alejandro Mayorkas will be the first immigrant named Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Xavier Becerra is the first Latinx Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- Neera Tanden is the first person of color and the first South Asian person to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
- Marcia Fudge, Black congresswoman from Ohio will be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
- Linda Thomas-Greenfield will be the second Black woman to be Ambassador to the United Nations.
- Pete Buttigieg is the first ever openly gay Cabinet member, named Secretary of Transportation.
- Avril Haines will be the first woman named as Director of Intelligence.
- Deb Haaland will be the first Native American Secretary of the Interior, the department that determines policy for federally-owned natural resources, as well as tribal lands.
- Gina Raimondo will be the Commerce Secretary.
- Jennifer Granholm named Secretary of Energy.
- Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative.
- Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the Small Business Administration
- Cecilia Rouse, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Other notable nominations for high-level positions in the Biden Administration:
- Rochelle Walensky will be Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director.
- Susan Rice will be White House Domestic Policy Council Director.
- Vivek Murthy will be the first Surgeon General of Indian descent.
Happy 2021!
