Linda Thomas-Greenfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Linda Thomas-Greenfield
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Official portrait, 2021
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| 31st United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office February 25, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Richard M. Mills Jr. Dorothy Shea |
| Preceded by | Kelly Craft |
| Succeeded by | Dorothy Shea (acting) |
| 18th Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs | |
| In office August 6, 2013 – March 10, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Deputy | Robert P. Jackson |
| Preceded by | Johnnie Carson |
| Succeeded by | Tibor P. Nagy |
| Director General of the Foreign Service Director of Human Resources |
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| In office April 2, 2012 – August 2, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Nancy Jo Powell |
| Succeeded by | Arnold A. Chacón |
| United States Ambassador to Liberia | |
| In office August 27, 2008 – February 29, 2012 |
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| President | George W. Bush Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Donald E. Booth |
| Succeeded by | Deborah R. Malac |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 22, 1952 Baker, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lafayette Greenfield |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BA) University of Wisconsin–Madison (MPA) |
Linda Thomas-Greenfield (born November 22, 1952) is an American diplomat. She served as the 31st United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2021 to 2025. She worked under President Joe Biden. Before this, she was the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2013 to 2017.
President Biden chose her to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The United States Senate approved her for the role on February 23, 2021. She officially started her job on February 25, 2021.
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Early Life and Education
Linda Thomas-Greenfield was born in Baker, Louisiana, in 1952. She was one of eight children in her family. In 1970, she graduated from an all-Black high school in Zachary, Louisiana.
She earned her first college degree, a Bachelor of Arts, from Louisiana State University in 1974. The next year, in 1975, she received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Later, in 2018, the University of Wisconsin–Madison gave her an honorary law degree.
Career in Diplomacy
Thomas-Greenfield taught political science at Bucknell University for a short time. In 1982, she joined the Foreign Service. This is a group of diplomats who represent the U.S. in other countries.
She held many important roles during her career. She was a deputy assistant secretary for population, refugees, and migration from 2004 to 2006. From 2006 to 2008, she was a principal deputy assistant secretary for African affairs.
Ambassador to Liberia
From 2008 to 2012, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia. This meant she was the top U.S. representative in that country. After that, she became the director general of the Foreign Service and director of human resources from 2012 to 2013.
She also worked in many other countries. These included Switzerland, Pakistan, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Jamaica.
Assistant Secretary of State
From 2013 to 2017, she was the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. In this role, she helped manage U.S. relationships with countries in Africa.
In 2017, she left her government job. After that, she became a non-resident fellow at Georgetown University. She also worked as a senior vice president at a business strategy company called Albright Stonebridge Group.
In November 2020, she joined President-elect Joe Biden's team. She helped with the transition for the United States Department of State.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
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On November 24, 2020, President Biden announced he would nominate her. He wanted her to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. This job is very important because it means she would represent the U.S. at the United Nations. She would also be part of the President's Cabinet and the National Security Council.
She spoke to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on January 27, 2021. The committee approved her nomination on February 4, 2021. The full United States Senate confirmed her on February 23, 2021, with a vote of 78 to 20. She officially started her role on February 25, 2021. She took over from Ambassador Kelly Craft.
Time as Ambassador
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As the U.S. Ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield also served as president of the United Nations Security Council several times. The U.S. takes turns being president of the council for one month at a time. She held this role in March 2021, May 2022, August 2023, and December 2024.
She spoke out about important global issues. For example, she accused China of harming Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang internment camps. She said the U.S. would keep speaking out until these actions stopped.
She also shared concerns about fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. She urged for a peaceful solution to the Tigray War.
In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, the UN Security Council voted on a resolution. This resolution called for a temporary pause in fighting to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Thomas-Greenfield, representing the U.S., voted against it. She explained that the U.S. was working on diplomatic solutions. She also said the resolution did not recognize Israel's right to defend itself.
In December 2023 and February 2024, she again voted against similar resolutions. She stated that a ceasefire without an agreement to release hostages would not bring lasting peace.
In May 2024, two universities, the University of Vermont and Xavier University of Louisiana, canceled her planned speeches. This happened after students protested her selection.
Personal Life
Linda Thomas-Greenfield is married to Lafayette Greenfield. He also worked for the State Department before he retired. They have two children.
See also
- List of African-American United States Cabinet members
- List of female United States Cabinet members
