Sonceria "Ann" Berry has been sworn in as the United States Secretary of Senate. She is the eighth woman to hold this role and the first Black person to earn the title.
“We begin this week on a joyful note welcoming an upstanding individual to serve as the new Secretary of the Senate,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.
Berry previously worked as the deputy chief of staff for Senator Patrick Leahy. Fittingly, Sen. Patrick Leahy swore her into her position this afternoon. She has also worked for federal lawmakers like John Edwards, Doug Jones, Tom Carper, Howell Heflin and Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
"Congrats to Sonceria 'Ann' Berry on becoming the first Black woman Secretary of the Senate! Today is her first day on the job, and an amazing kickoff to Women's History Month," Rep. Joyce Beatty tweeted.
"I was so proud to have nominated Ann Berry to be the new Secretary of the Senate. She will be the first African American to serve as Secretary of the Senate. She has been in the Senate for over 40 years and will be fantastic in this new role," Schumer added.
Berry is the first of three figures expected to pass through the Senate this week. Lawmakers are expected to confirm Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo as Commerce Secretary and Miguel Cardona as the Education Secretary. The Senate is also expected to examine the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that recently passed through the United States House of Representatives.
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