Charlotte Burrows facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlotte Burrows
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Official portrait, 2015
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| Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Janet Dhillon |
| Succeeded by | Andrea R. Lucas (acting) |
| Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | |
| In office July 1, 2018 – January 27, 2025 |
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| President |
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| Preceded by | Chai Feldblum |
| Succeeded by | vacant |
| In office January 13, 2015 – July 1, 2018 |
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| President |
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| Preceded by | Jacqueline Berrien |
| Succeeded by | Keith Sonderling |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) Yale University (JD) |
Charlotte A. Burrows is an American lawyer and government leader. From 2021 to 2025, Burrows was the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a government agency that works to stop unfair treatment in workplaces.
Burrows first joined the EEOC as a commissioner in 2015. Before that, she worked as a senior official in the U.S. Department of Justice. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Burrows also worked as an advisor to Senator Ted Kennedy.
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Early Life and Education
Charlotte Burrows is the daughter of Rodney Burrows, who was a professor of political science. Political science is the study of how governments work.
Burrows went to Princeton University and graduated in 1992. She was also a member of a group for Black alumni from Princeton. Later, she studied law at Yale Law School. She earned her law degree, called a Juris Doctor, in 1996.
Legal Career and Government Work
After law school, Burrows worked for a judge named Timothy K. Lewis. He was a judge on a special court called the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She also worked as a lawyer at a private law firm called Debevoise & Plimpton.
Burrows was a key helper for Senator Ted Kennedy. She worked with him on important committees in the Senate. These committees dealt with health, education, labor, and justice. While working on Capitol Hill, she helped create new laws. These laws included the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which helps ensure fair pay for everyone. She also worked on changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 2008. The ADA helps protect the rights of people with disabilities.
Burrows also worked for the Department of Justice (DOJ). She was part of the Civil Rights Division, which works to protect people's civil rights. In 2009, she became a senior leader within the Department of Justice.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC is an important agency that makes sure people are treated fairly at work. It helps prevent discrimination based on things like race, gender, or religion.
Joining the EEOC
On September 12, 2014, President Barack Obama announced that he wanted Burrows to join the EEOC. The Senate voted to approve her, and she started her job on January 13, 2015. As an EEOC commissioner, Burrows encouraged Congress to pass the proposed Paycheck Fairness Act. This act aims to help make sure men and women get equal pay for equal work.
Leading the EEOC
On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden chose Charlotte Burrows to be the Chair of the EEOC. She took over from Janet Dhillon. As Chair, Burrows focused on making sure people receive fair pay. She also worked to strengthen rules that protect people who care for family members.
As Chair, Burrows issued guidelines about workplace bathrooms. These guidelines stated that employers should allow employees to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. To help the EEOC work better, Burrows also pushed for hiring more full-time employees.
Dismissal from the EEOC
On January 27, 2025, Donald Trump removed Burrows from her position at the EEOC. He also removed Jocelyn Samuels at the same time. It was unusual because no president had ever fired an EEOC commissioner before.
