Interview: Chao's challenge: The new world of work

Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, confirmed by unanimous vote in the Senate on January 29, immigrated to the United States from Taiwan as a child, and has earned distinction for her achievements ever since. She received an MBA at Harvard University, worked as a capital markets banker, and has served

as a direcfor on the boards of several major corporations. During the previous Bush administration, she worked as a deputy secretary of the Department ofTransportation. From there she briefly headed the Peace Corps in 1991, before going to United Way of America in 1992 to help the agency recover from a financial scandal. At the time of her appointment as labor secretary, she was a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank. She is married to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky).

Secretary Chao, considering your background, my first question is, what did your parents say on hearing of your confirmation as labor secretary?

They were very pleased and very proud. When I came to this country, I was eight years old and didn't speak a word of English. There were some hard times for my family, but my parents never gave up, never stopped believing in the promise of America.