Mary Beth Maxwell
Encyclopedia
Mary Beth Maxwell is the founding executive director of American Rights at Work
and the author of the organization's inaugural report.
Maxwell was chosen in April 2009 by President Barack Obama
to be senior advisor in the United States Department of Labor
.
, where she helped quadruple the number of local affiliates, with similar growth in the organization's national staff. As a result, the organization engaged new allies, mobilized support, and built relationships with stakeholders to broaden and strengthen the causes of worker and economic justice.
Prior to Jobs with Justice, she was Deputy Field Director for NARAL Pro-Choice America
, directing the pro-choice organization’s electoral, legislative, media and fundraising training programs for local affiliates. She also served as Field Director for the United States Student Association
where she designed field programs to organize students in targeted congressional districts to impact higher education policy, and managed a leadership development and grassroots action program, which mobilized thousands of students.
She currently sits on the Board of Directors of American Families United and The Discount Foundation.
Maxwell was rumored to be a serious candidate for Secretary of Labor
in Barack Obama
's administration. She would have been the first openly
lesbian
cabinet secretary. Instead, Obama selected Hilda Solis
, a member of Congress.
Maxwell earned a BA in English, philosophy and political science from Marquette University
.
American Rights at Work
American Rights at Work is a U.S. self-described nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that advocates for workers and their right to form unions without interference....
and the author of the organization's inaugural report.
Maxwell was chosen in April 2009 by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to be senior advisor in the United States Department of Labor
United States Department of Labor
The United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. Many U.S. states also have such departments. The...
.
Career
Maxwell previously served as National Field Director for Jobs with JusticeJobs with Justice
Jobs with Justice is a national campaign for workers' rights in the United States. It was founded in 1987, and includes both individual members and affiliated organizations....
, where she helped quadruple the number of local affiliates, with similar growth in the organization's national staff. As a result, the organization engaged new allies, mobilized support, and built relationships with stakeholders to broaden and strengthen the causes of worker and economic justice.
Prior to Jobs with Justice, she was Deputy Field Director for NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America , formerly the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, then National Abortion Rights Action League, and later National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, is an organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose...
, directing the pro-choice organization’s electoral, legislative, media and fundraising training programs for local affiliates. She also served as Field Director for the United States Student Association
United States Student Association
The United States Student Association , founded in 1947, bills itself as the oldest and largest student association in the United States. It has a historical and current commitment to diversity and breaking the barriers to educational access imposed by inequality and discrimination...
where she designed field programs to organize students in targeted congressional districts to impact higher education policy, and managed a leadership development and grassroots action program, which mobilized thousands of students.
She currently sits on the Board of Directors of American Families United and The Discount Foundation.
Maxwell was rumored to be a serious candidate for Secretary of Labor
United States Secretary of Labor
The United States Secretary of Labor is the head of the Department of Labor who exercises control over the department and enforces and suggests laws involving unions, the workplace, and all other issues involving any form of business-person controversies....
in Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's administration. She would have been the first openly
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
cabinet secretary. Instead, Obama selected Hilda Solis
Hilda Solis
Hilda Lucia Solis is the 25th United States Secretary of Labor, serving in the Obama administration. She is a member of the Democratic Party and served in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009, representing the 31st and 32nd congressional districts of California that include...
, a member of Congress.
Personal life and education
Maxwell lives in Washington D.C. with her seven-year-old adopted son.Maxwell earned a BA in English, philosophy and political science from Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
.