Women in Law Enforcement

Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Remarks at the Women in Law Enforcement Ceremony


March 24, 2010 - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today delivered remarks to female law enforcement agents and officers from across the Department at the U.S. Secret Service’s headquarters—honoring the service and sacrifices of women in law enforcement on our nation’s frontlines every day as part of the Obama administration’s commemoration of National Women’s History Month.

During her remarks, Secretary Napolitano talked about her own career as a woman in law enforcement—including her tenure as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, the first female Attorney General of Arizona, Governor of Arizona and the first woman to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security—and highlighted the talent and leadership of more than 35,000 women in law enforcement positions across the Department.

During the ceremony, Secretary Napolitano honored the exemplary service of women from the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

The event included a presentation of the U.S. Secret Service Valor Award to the family of Special Agent Julie Y. Cross, the first female Secret Service agent to die in the line of duty, on June 4, 1980.

On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed an executive order establishing the White House Council on Women and Girls—comprised of 24 members of the President’s executive office and Cabinet, including Secretary Napolitano—to ensure agencies across the federal government consider how their policies and programs impact women and families.