Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Clinton chided for not wooing women

Saturday 19 December 1992 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

(First Edition)

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Reuter) - President-elect Bill Clinton is this weekend attempting to complete nominations for his cabinet, against a series of complaints that too few senior jobs have gone to women.

Of six Clinton cabinet appointments made so far, five were men, said Harriet Woods, president of the National Women's Political Caucus.

'He has stated repeatedly that he wants 'a cabinet and appointments that look like America', which would mean 50 per cent women. We are looking forward to his achieving this goal with his remaining cabinet appointments,' she said.

Clinton has placed women in four top-level posts: Donna Shalala as secretary for Health and Human Services; Carol Browner as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; Laura Tyson as chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisers; and Alice Rivlin as deputy budget director. But of those, only the health secretary, Ms Browner, is in the cabinet.

A Clinton spokesman, George Stephanopoulos, told reporters that finding more women was not causing a slowdown in cabinet appointments.

'He's proud of his announcements so far . . . and I expect that there will be more women as we go along,' he said.

Clinton is said to be interested in appointing a female attorney general, but of those widely tipped to fill eight other key roles - including secretary of state, defence, agriculture, energy and education - all are men.

The transition team, meanwhile, said Clinton's wife, Hillary, was welcome to attend cabinet meetings as often as she pleased.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in