Charlotte Burrows

Charlotte Burrows
Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 20, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byJanet Dhillon
Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 13, 2015
PresidentBarack Obama
Donald Trump
Joe Biden
Preceded byJacqueline Berrien (seat 1)
Chai Feldblum (seat 2)
Succeeded byKeith Sonderling (seat 1)
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
EducationPrinceton University (BA)
Yale University (JD)

Charlotte A. Burrows is an American attorney and government official. Since 2021, Burrows has served as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).[1] Burrows first joined the agency as a commissioner in 2015,[2] and previously served as an associate deputy attorney general.[3] A member of the Democratic Party, Burrows also served as an aide and counsel to Senator Ted Kennedy.[4]

Early life and education

Burrows is the daughter of Rodney Burrows, a professor of political science.[5] Burrows graduated from Princeton University in 1992, and is a member of the Association of Black Princeton Alumni (ABPA).[6] Burrows later attended Yale Law School, where she received a Juris Doctor in 1996.[7]

After graduating from law school, Burrows became a clerk for Judge Timothy K. Lewis of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. While in private practice, Burrows was an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton.[8]

Burrows was a top aide to Senator Ted Kennedy Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee as well as the Senate Judiciary Committee. During her time on Capitol Hill, Burrows worked on legislation including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 and 2008 amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).[9]

Burrows served within the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division's Employment Litigation Section. In 2009, Burrows became an associate deputy attorney general within the DOJ.[3]

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Nomination and tenure

On September 12, 2014, President Barack Obama announced that Burrows would be nominated to replace Jacqueline A. Berrien on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).[3][10] Burrows was confirmed by the Senate by a 93–2 vote, and took office on January 13, 2015.[2] As a member of the EEOC in 2018, Burrows urged Congress to pass the proposed Paycheck Fairness Act.[11]

EEOC Chair

On January 20, 2021, Burrows was chosen by President Joe Biden to serve as chair of the EEOC, replacing Republican Janet Dhillon.[1] During her tenure as chair, Burrows has indicated that pay equity will be a top priority of the agency.[12] Burrows has also indicated interest in strengthening agency guidances related to protecting caregivers.[13]

As chair, Burrows issued guidelines stating that "employers may not deny an employee equal access to a bathroom, locker room, or shower that corresponds to the employee’s gender identity."[14] In order for the agency to operate more efficiently, Burrows has pushed for the hiring of 450 full-time EEOC employees.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b "Biden Elevates EEOC Democrats Burrows, Samuels to Top Roles". news.bloomberglaw.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  2. ^ a b "Charlotte Burrows Sworn In as EEOC Commissioner | Comisión para la Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo". www.eeoc.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  3. ^ a b c "Obama to Nominate DOJ Official BurrowsTo Fill Vacant EEOC Seat, White House Says". news.bloomberglaw.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  4. ^ "NWLC Applauds Confirmation of Charlotte Burrows and David Lopez to the EEOC". NWLC. December 3, 2014. Archived from the original on 2017-01-13. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  5. ^ "The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions". www.help.senate.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  6. ^ "Association of Black Princeton Alumni". Princeton University. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  7. ^ "YLW Presents: EEOC Commissioner Charlotte Burrows - Yale Law School". law.yale.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  8. ^ "Charlotte Burrows Sworn In as EEOC Commissioner | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission". www.eeoc.gov. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  9. ^ "YLW's #metoo Series with Commissioner Charlotte Burrows of The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Yale Law School". law.yale.edu. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  10. ^ Wilkie, Dana (2014-09-17). "Justice Department's Charlotte Burrows Nominated to EEOC". SHRM. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  11. ^ "Meet the Woman Who Makes Sure Employers Behave". InHerSight.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  12. ^ "Attorneys predict busy year for EEOC enforcement". HR Dive. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  13. ^ "Pandemic, Social Justice Movement Top of Mind for EEOC Chair". news.bloomberglaw.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  14. ^ "Protections Against Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission". www.eeoc.gov. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  15. ^ "EEOC Looks to Hire Hundreds of Full-Time Employees, Chair Says". news.bloomberglaw.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.