Alexis Herman served as the 23rd United States Secretary of Labor from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. She was the first African American to hold the position. Previously, she served as Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Herman grew up in Mobile, Alabama. After college, she worked to improve employment opportunities for black laborers and women. Joining the administration of Jimmy Carter, she worked as director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau. She was also active in the Jesse Jackson presidential campaign..
In 1996, she was nominated to replace outgoing Labor Secretary Robert Reich and received firm support from labor unions despite other potential nominees. Herman's U.S. Senate confirmation was delayed twice, but she was confirmed by a vote of 85–13 and sworn in on May 9, 1997.
As Secretary of Labor, she oversaw the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which at the time employed 17,000 people and operated on a $39-billion annual budget. The department is tasked with enforcing a variety of workplace laws and regulations, including safety issues and anti-discrimination. During Herman's tenure, she earned praise for her handling the 1997 United Parcel Service (UPS) workers strike - the largest strike in the United States in two decades. Meeting privately with the Teamsters' president and the UPS chairman to frame the issues, she proved an instrumental mediator in the talks, and the strike was settled after 15 days.
Herman supported the 1996 and 1997 raises to the federal minimum wage, increasing it by $0.90 to $5.15 per hour by September 1997, arguing the wage hike increased the buying power of workers. She opposed a 1999 plan to raise the minimum wage over three years, opting for a two-year time-table for an increase that excluded tax cuts without offsets.
She also fined toy store chain Toys "R" Us $200,000 for violating laws restricting the type of work that may be done, and the number of hours worked by underage employees: more than 300 teenage employees were working more and later hours than permitted. The company agreed to stop the practices.
Accused of accepting kickbacks, Herman successfully withstood a twenty-three month, $95 million dollar investigation - being cleared of all charges by Independent Counsel.
After leaving government service, she serving on the boards of corporations such as Coca-Cola and Toyota and was awarded more than 20 honorary doctorate degrees from various academic institutions.
Sources: Blackpast.org; NPR.org; U.S. Department of Labor.gov; Wikipedia.org
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 Here is your opportunity to learn about the law from Judges, attorneys and legal professionals at the Youth & Law Forum!
Saturday, May 3rd, from 10am - 1pm
Eastside Community Center - 1721 E. 56th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404
Participants will enjoy free lunch, games and prizes! Presented by the Pierce County Minority Bar Association.
 After being pushed back due to COVID, Real ID begins May 7, 2025
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards. Starting May 7, 2025, anyone traveling by airplane or visiting certain federal facilities must use a REAL ID-compliant document.
You may already have what you need: These identification options meet REAL ID standards and can be used to board domestic flights:
See the full list of documents accepted for air travel.
What about Standard driver licenses and ID cards?
Yes, the Department of Licensing will continue to offer standard driver licenses and ID cards that can be used by Washington residents to drive or as identification. They don't indicate a person's residency or legal status BUT starting May 7, 2025, they will no longer be accepted as valid forms of ID for boarding domestic flights.
What is an Enhanced driver license (EDL) and enhanced identification (EID)
An EDL or EID is a form of identification with enhanced security features that shows proof of identity and proof of citizenship. An EDL/EID meets federal requirements under REAL ID and is an approved alternative to a passport or passport card for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea borders between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
Who can get an EDL or EID?
You must be a U.S. citizen and provide a Social Security number, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and proof of Washington State residency.
Washington’s EDL/EID doesn’t have a star marking. Will it be accepted?
The enhanced driver license/ID is Washington’s REAL ID-compliant form of identification. Many other states have chosen to offer a REAL ID card with a star marking. The EDL/EID bears a U.S. flag marking instead of a star. For domestic air travel, the EDL/EID and REAL ID card are equally acceptable.
Scan the QR code or click the poster above to access the DOL website.
 Join the next WA Cares Fund Conversations: Seniors and the Housing Crisis
Thursday, May 1st, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
We’re hosting a panel of experts to discuss critical issues affecting seniors, including:
• The cost burden for seniors on a fixed income
• Affordable housing options
• Aging in place challenges
• Rental assistance programs
• Homelessness
An overview of the WA Cares Fund and how it can support seniors will be provided. ASL interpretation and live captioning available
Register now: https://tr.ee/WaCaresWebinar
 The National Alliance on Mental Illness' Family-to-Family FREE 8-week virtual program begins Monday, May 5th from 6pm-8:30pm. Family, caregivers, and friends of those living with a mental health condition are invited to participate.
This program is available for non-court connected AND court-connected individuals.
This is an evidence-based program in partnership with NAMI Pierce County.
Coping and problem-solving methods will be discussed. Register online at: https://bit.ly/pcjcsupportor use the QR code.
Additional events listed at CAAA.WA.Gov/events
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