Oral history interview with Mary Beth Maxwell, 2020
Abstract
Mary Beth Maxwell reflects on her service at the Department of Labor between 2009 and 2015 during the Obama administration. Maxwell describes Hilda Solis' inclusive definition of labor, as well as how that definition influenced policy goals at the Department of Labor. Maxwell discusses the Employee Free Choice Act, its blocking in the Senate, and the Obama administration's use of executive orders t o bolster labor in lieu of Senate support. In addition, Maxwell describes her history of advocating for the Employee Free Choice act, including prior to her joining the administration. Maxwell also discusses the Home Care Rule's genesis, importance, and implementation. Maxwell reflects on the importance of representation in government decision-making, and describes her own influence on LGBTQ-related initiatives at the Department
Mary Beth Maxwell is a labor activist who served in a number of roles in the Department of Labor during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2015. These included principal deputy assistant secretary for policy, deputy chief of staff, senior advisor t o the secretary of labor, and acting deputy administrator for the Wage and Hour Division. Prior to joining the Obama administration, she was the national field director for Jobs with Justice and the founding director of American Rights at Work. After leaving the federal government, Maxwell returned to the nonprofit sector, serving as senior vice president for foundation programs at the Human Rights Campaign. She was also a member of the Department of Labor's Personnel Team for the Biden-Harris transition
Note
Interviewed by Nicole R. Hemmer on December 3, 2020. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Mary Beth Maxwell, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2022