The first woman to head a major U.S. federal agency was Patricia Harris. Appointed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1977, Harris was a trailblazer for women in government. She previously served as the first African-American woman to be the Dean of a law school and played significant roles in advancing civil rights and social justice policies. Her leadership within the federal government highlighted the importance of diversity and representation, paving the way for future generations of women in public service and influencing policies on affordable housing and urban development.