Senate President Pro Tempore Patrick J. Leahy swore in Sonceria “Ann” Berry, to be the new secretary of the Senate on Monday, marking a historic first.
Berry is the first Black woman to hold the role that was created in 1789.
“One day after the conclusion of Black History Month, and on the first day of Women’s History Month, Ann Berry was just sworn in as the first Black woman to ever serve as secretary of the Senate. Another glass ceiling broken,” Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer said shortly after she was sworn-in Monday afternoon.
Berry is the eighth woman to serve in the position and she takes over for Julie Adams.
Berry’s career on Capitol Hill has spanned more than four decades. Most recently as deputy chief of staff for Leahy, she has also worked for Democratic Sens. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware, John Edwards of North Carolina, Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York and Howell Heflin of Alabama.
Chris Cioffi and Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this report.
