Mary Frances Berry

Mary Frances Berry is the controversial former chairwoman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights who left office at the expiration of her term in late 2004. She was succeeded by Gerald A. Reynolds.

Berry was first appointed to the commission by President Jimmy Carter and was elevated to chairperson by Bill Clinton. During her tenure she became involved in legal battles with presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Berry's name also became associated with controversy during the first term of the George W. Bush's administration when she refused to seat two of the president's appointments to vacancies on the board. Berry argued that the previous holders of the vacant seats still retained time on their appointments, but was ordered by a federal court to seat the new appointees. The dispute also determined which political party would have a majority of the board's members.

External links

Mary Frances Berry from Discover the Networks