Janet Reno: First Female Attorney General

Janet Reno (confirmed 11 March 1993)

Nominated as Attorney General of the United States by President Bill Clinton, Janet Reno was confirmed on 11 March 1993--becoming the first woman to serve in that position. She was in office throughout Clinton's tenure as president, until 20 January 2001. 

About herself, Janet Reno said,

What you see, ladies and gentlemen, is what you get.”

Although it is now out of print, you may be interested in Paul Anderson's Janet Reno: Doing the Right Thing. Used copies are available.

Update: Janet Reno died on 7 November 2016.

For writer Susan Faludi's poignant New York Times tribute to Janet Reno, "If Janet Reno Had Lived to See Tomorrow," click here.