Former Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Roberta Achtenberg is an American attorney and civil rights advocate who served as a commissioner on the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She was previously assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, becoming the first openly lesbian or gay public official in the United States whose appointment to a federal position was confirmed by the United States Senate. This confirmation hearing garnered a lot of publicity, opposition, and support. Achtenberg went to school at different branches of the University of California and later attended the University of Utah.[6] Before her political career, she worked as an attorney, director, educator, and founded organizations. Achtenberg is married with a son, and has been locally and nationally recognized with many awards and has made many publications throughout her career.
