On Tuesday (February 23), the U.S. Senate confirmed President Joe Biden's pick for the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Thomas-Greenfield is a native of Baker, Louisiana, as well as a graduate of Louisianan State University.
In November, then-President Elect Biden chose Thomas-Greenfield to serve as UN Ambassador following her decades-long career in foreign service spanning back to President Ronald Reagan. From 2013-2017, she served as an ambassador to Liberia in addition to serving in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs under President Barack Obama.
During the hearing, Thomas-Greenfield spoke about attending a segregated school growing up as well as overcoming "the norm" of Ivy League graduates when she joined the Foreign Service in 1982 when she herself attended LSU, WWLTV reports.
"And yet, I had an extraordinary 35-year career, that culminated as the assistant secretary of the state of African affairs," she said. "To me, that represents the progress, and promise, of America."
In a 78-20 vote, she was confirmed to the Cabinet-level position. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy voted to confirm Thomas-Greenfield, saying she served the country well during her time as a member of the State Department, KATC reports.
"I am confident she will continue to do so as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations," he said. "I'm proud she's from Louisiana, but I'm more proud of her service to our country."
Photo: Getty Images