Constance Berry Newman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Constance Berry Newman
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| 14th United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs | |
| In office July 24, 2004 – April 21, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Walter H. Kansteiner III |
| Succeeded by | Jendayi Frazer |
| Director of the United States Office of Personnel Management | |
| In office 1989–1992 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Constance Horner |
| Succeeded by | Kay Coles James |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 8, 1935 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Bates College (BA) University of Minnesota (JD) |
Constance Ernestine Berry Newman was born on July 8, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois. She is an American lawyer and diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. She served as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs for the United States from July 2004 to April 2005. This important role meant she helped guide how the U.S. worked with countries in Africa.
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Early Life and Education
Constance Berry Newman's parents were a social worker, a nurse, and a doctor. She went to Tuskegee Institute High School and graduated in 1951. She was a great student there and was active in the Government Club.
She then studied Political Science at Bates College, earning her bachelor's degree. Later, she earned a law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1959.
Constance Newman's Career Journey
Constance Newman had a long and impressive career in public service. She started working for the United States Department of the Interior in 1962. There, she held different roles, including personnel manager, until 1967.
From 1967 to 1969, she helped migrant farmers in the Office of Economic Development. She then became a Special Assistant to Elliot Richardson. He led what is now the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Leading AmeriCorps VISTA
In 1971, President Richard Nixon chose Newman to lead AmeriCorps VISTA. This program is like the domestic version of the Peace Corps. It helps communities within the United States.
From 1973 to 1976, she was a Commissioner and Vice Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This group works to make sure products are safe for people to use.
Helping Communities and Consulting
Newman also worked for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. From 1976 to 1977, she focused on helping Native American and elderly communities. After that, she co-founded a consulting firm called Newman and Hermanson Company. This company helped others understand government rules.
She led the Institute of American Business from 1982 to 1984. Then, she worked as a private consultant, focusing on issues in Africa. She even lived and worked in Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa, for a World Bank project. In 1985, she received the "Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service."
Leadership in Government and Smithsonian
From 1989 to 1992, Newman served as the Director of the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This office manages federal government employees. She worked to improve how the OPM operated, involving many different groups.
She became the Under Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in 1992. The Smithsonian is a famous group of museums and research centers. She received the Joseph Henry Medal in 2000, which is the Smithsonian's highest award. This award recognized her great service and contributions to the institution.
International and African Affairs Roles
From 1995 to 2001, she was a Board Member and Vice Chair of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority. She also served on the board of the International Republican Institute from 1998 to 2001. In 1998, she won the "Washingtonian of the Year" award.
From November 2001 to June 2004, Newman was the Assistant Administrator for Africa for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID provides help to countries around the world.
On June 24, 2004, President George W. Bush appointed her as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. In this role, she played a key part in U.S. policy towards Africa. For example, she helped determine that "genocide had been committed" in Sudan's Darfur region. This finding was important for Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech in September 2004.
She left her position in April 2005. Jendayi Frazer took over her role. Today, Constance Newman is still a member of the board of directors for the International Republican Institute.
In 2019, she was honored as one of the first members of the Government Hall of Fame. This recognition came from the business publication Government Executive.
