The AFP reports: "Obama named Melanne Verveer, an aide in former president Bill Clinton's administration, as ambassador-at-large for international women's issues. She will serve at the State Department under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
The appointment "is unprecedented and reflects the elevated importance of global women's issues to the president and his entire administration," the White House said in a statement.
Melanne Verveer is co-founder and currently co-chief executive officer of Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international nonprofit that invests in emerging women leaders.
The AFP adds, Verveer "also served as executive vice president of People for the American Way, a civil rights and constitutional liberties organization, 'where she played a key role in the passage of several landmark civil rights bills,' it said."
