Wendy Sherman Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Wendy Sherman
Official portrait, 2021

21st United States Deputy Secretary of State
In office April 14, 2021 – July 28, 2023
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Stephen Biegun
Succeeded by	Victoria Nuland (acting) Kurt M. Campbell
Acting November 3, 2014 – January 9, 2015
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	William J. Burns
Succeeded by	Antony Blinken
21st Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
In office September 21, 2011 – October 2, 2015
President	Barack Obama
Secretary	Hillary Clinton John Kerry
Preceded by	William J. Burns
Succeeded by	Thomas A. Shannon Jr.
26th Counselor of the United States Department of State
In office August 6, 1997 – January 20, 2001
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Tim Wirth
Succeeded by	Philip D. Zelikow
23rd Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
In office May 12, 1993 – March 29, 1996
President	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Janet G. Mullins Grissom
Succeeded by	Barbara Larkin

Personal details
Born	Wendy Ruth Sherman (1949-06-07) June 7, 1949 (age 76) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bruce Stokes
Children	1
Education	Smith College Boston University (BA) University of Maryland, Baltimore (MSW)

Wendy Ruth Sherman (born June 7, 1949) is an American diplomat. A diplomat is someone who helps countries talk to each other. She worked as the Deputy Secretary of State from April 2021 to July 2023. This is a very important job in the U.S. government.

Before this, she taught at Harvard Kennedy School. She also worked as a senior advisor at a group called Albright Stonebridge Group.

Wendy Sherman started her career as a social worker. Social workers help people and communities. She led EMILY's List, which helps women run for political office. She also worked for Maryland's child welfare office.

During the time Bill Clinton was president, she was a special advisor. She helped with talks about North Korea's nuclear program. Later, she was a top official in the U.S. Department of State. She was the main person for the U.S. in talks about the Iran nuclear deal.

In 2021, President Joe Biden chose her to be the Deputy Secretary of State. She was the first woman to hold this position.

Early Life and Education
Career in Public Service
Personal Life
Honours
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Wendy Sherman was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her family moved to Pikesville, Maryland, when she was young. She went to Pikesville High School.

She studied at Smith College and then graduated from Boston University in 1971. She studied how people live in cities. In 1976, she earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Maryland.

Career in Public Service

Starting Her Career

Wendy Sherman began her career helping people. She worked with women who had been abused. She also helped people who were living in poverty. She says her social work skills helped her in negotiations. She learned how to understand people and their different interests.

She was also involved in community work. She helped with issues related to housing for people with lower incomes.

Her early jobs included leading EMILY's List. This group helps women who are Democrats get elected. She also led Maryland's office that helps children.

North Korea Talks

Wendy Sherman was in charge of North Korea policy for President Clinton. She helped with a deal in 1994. In this deal, North Korea agreed to stop its nuclear weapons program. She continued to lead talks with North Korea until 2001.

In 2001, North Korea promised not to make or test certain missiles. These missiles could not reach the United States. North Korea also offered to stop selling missiles and related technology.

Some people criticized these talks. They thought the U.S. was giving too much to North Korea. But Sherman believed that talking was the best way to stop North Korea from getting nuclear weapons.

Working for the State Department

Wendy Sherman as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

On September 21, 2011, she became the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. This was a very high-ranking job. She worked under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In this role, she led the U.S. team in talks with Iran. These talks were about Iran's nuclear program. She was the main negotiator for the U.S. in the agreement reached with Iran in 2015. This agreement aimed to limit Iran's nuclear activities.

She also worked on a special team to make foreign service workers safer. This was after an attack in Benghazi in 2012. She also helped with peace talks about Syria in 2016.

Deputy Secretary of State

Wendy Sherman signs her papers to become the Deputy Secretary of State

On January 16, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden chose Wendy Sherman for a new role. She became the Deputy Secretary of State. The Senate approved her nomination on April 13, 2021. She started her new job on April 14, 2021. She was the first woman to hold this important position.

She retired from this role on July 28, 2023.

Personal Life

Wendy Sherman is married to Bruce Stokes. He used to be a journalist. They met in 1978 while talking about housing for people with lower incomes. They have one daughter.