*Administration of Barack Obama, 2015 *

**Statement on the Death of Former Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Jacqueline Berrien **

*November 9, 2015 *

Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Jacqueline Berrien, former Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Jackie's leadership and passion for ensuring everyone gets a fair chance to succeed in the workplace has changed our country for the better. She spent her entire career fighting to give voice to underrepresented communities, from her work at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund to her advocacy at the American Civil Liberties Union. At the EEOC, she fought hard every day to make real our Nation's promise of equal opportunity for all. She injected new life into the EEOC, with new ideas and strategies that helped refocus the commission on its enduring mission: protecting the most fundamental rights of all Americans. We offer our gratitude for her service, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved her dearly.

*Categories:* Statements by the President : Deaths :: Berrien, Jacqueline*.*

*Names:* Berrien, Jacqueline; Obama, Michelle*.*

*Subjects:* Civil rights : Racial equality; Death : Berrien, Jacqueline; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201500793.