Paving The Way...

The first black woman to serve in a President's Cabinet was Patricia Roberts Harris. Harris was born in 1924 in Illinois. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. While an undergrad Harris participated in a student led sit-in in an attempt to integrate a local cafe. After graduating from Howard, Patricia continued her studies at George Washington University School of Law, where she graduated first in a class of 94. After law school Harris was employed by the U.S. Justice Department. After working for the Justice Department Harris returned to Howard University as a member of the faculty. In 1965, Patricia Roberts Harris was appointed ambassador to Luxembourg by former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. She held the post for 2 years. in 1977 President Jimmy Carter made Harris a member of his cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. After a two year stint as Secretary of HUD, Harris was appointed Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.