Labor Sec. Hilda Solis resigns: Adds pressure for female picks

WASHINGTON–Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will not be sticking around for a second term, with her departure announced just as stories are running about the number of top female appointees in the Obama White House.

Obama statement: “Over her long career in public service – as an advocate for environmental justice in California, state legislator, member of Congress and Secretary of Labor – Hilda Solis has been a tireless champion for working families. Over the last four years, Secretary Solis has been a critical member of my economic team as we have worked to recover from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and strengthen the economy for the middle class. Her efforts have helped train workers for the jobs of the future, protect workers’ health and safety and put millions of Americans back to work. I am grateful to Secretary Solis for her steadfast commitment and service not only to the Administration, but on behalf of the American people. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”