Overview

Hazel R. O'Leary (born 1937) is an American lawyer and public official best known for serving as United States Secretary of Energy from 1993 to 1997 in the administration of President Bill Clinton. She was the first woman and the first African American to hold that Cabinet post. During her tenure she emphasized greater openness in the department and prioritized environmental remediation of Cold War nuclear sites.

Background and education

O'Leary trained as an attorney and pursued graduate-level studies that combined legal and economic perspectives on public policy. Before joining the Clinton administration she held positions spanning private law practice, corporate counsel roles, and government service. Her mixed experience in law, business, and public affairs informed her approach to managing a complex federal department.

Career prior to federal cabinet service

Before appointment as Secretary of Energy, O'Leary accumulated experience in both the public and private sectors. She worked as a lawyer and in executive roles that required negotiation, compliance oversight, and management of regulatory issues. This background shaped her priorities at the Department of Energy (DOE), where legal, environmental, and national security concerns intersect.

Tenure as Secretary of Energy

As head of the U.S. Department of Energy, O'Leary promoted policies of transparency and accountability. She launched efforts to declassify or release Cold War-era records, increased public access to information about nuclear testing and health studies, and pushed for accelerated cleanup of contaminated weapons-production sites. Her administration also addressed department management, contractor oversight, and efforts to boost energy efficiency and renewable technologies within DOE programs.

Key initiatives and controversies

  • Openness and records release: Established programs to make historical nuclear and departmental records more available to researchers and the public.
  • Environmental cleanup: Emphasized remediation of legacy nuclear sites created during weapons production and research.
  • Management reforms: Sought to improve contracting practices, accountability, and cost controls within national laboratories and DOE operations.
  • Energy policy emphasis: Supported efficiency and emerging renewable energy technologies as part of a broader energy portfolio.

Legacy and later work

O'Leary is recognized as a trailblazer for women and African Americans in energy and national security policy. Her insistence on transparency altered how the department handled historical information and set precedents for public access. After leaving the Cabinet she remained active in public speaking, consulting, and nonprofit initiatives related to energy, education, and community development. Her service is frequently cited in discussions of diversity in senior federal leadership and the evolution of U.S. nuclear cleanup policy.

For further information about the department she led, see the U.S. Department of Energy.