New press secretary hails barrier breakers who paved the way for her

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May 17, 2022

By Zeke Miller, AP News

White House press secretary Jen Psaki talks about incoming press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Karine Jean-Pierre held her first briefing as the new White House press secretary on Monday, crediting “barrier-breaking people” who came before her for making it possible for a Black, gay, immigrant woman like herself to rise to one of the most high-profile jobs in American government.

“I stand on their shoulders. If it were not for generations of barrier-breaking people before me, I would not be here,” Jean-Pierre said. “But I benefit from their sacrifices. I have learned from their excellence and I am forever grateful to them.”

President Joe Biden entrusted Jean-Pierre, 47, and the daughter of Haitian immigrants, with the responsibility of being his chief spokesperson earlier this month. Jen Psaki, who had held the job since the start of the administration, stepped down last Friday.

Jean-Pierre is the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to serve as White House press secretary. She had been the principal deputy press secretary and led the briefing on several occasions, making history in May 2021 when she first subbed for Psaki.

Keep reading about Jean-Pierre’s appointment as press secretary for the White House.

Jean-Pierre joins several others who are the first Black appointees to their positions, including a female sheriff in Louisiana, Milwaukee assistant fire chief, female Supreme Court Justice, and Mayor of Milwaukee.

Follow all these stories in our breaking news archives.

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