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Date and Location

April 15, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Cason Conference Room T102
A Woman of Firsts: Conversation Honoring Political Trailblazer Margaret Heckler

Please join the Women and Public Policy Program and Harvard College Women’s Center for a talk featuring the remarkable life and legacy of Margaret Heckler, as told in A Woman of Firsts: Margaret Heckler, Political Trailblazer by Kimberly Heckler. This compelling biography offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of American politics from the 1960s through the 1980s, spanning five presidential administrations. The daughter of Irish immigrants, Heckler defied expectations to become a congresswoman, a presidential cabinet secretary, and the first female U.S. ambassador to Ireland—groundbreaking achievements for a woman of her time. As a fiery Republican from Massachusetts, she navigated a male-dominated political landscape with resilience and determination. She authored the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, securing women’s financial independence, and played a key role in persuading President Ronald Reagan to appoint Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Heckler led critical initiatives, including early responses to the AIDS crisis and the landmark Heckler Report on racial disparities in healthcare. With stories that are inspiring, trailblazing, and deeply relevant today, A Woman of Firsts honors a leader who shattered barriers and championed equality and justice for millions of Americans. This conversation will be moderated by Linda Bilmes, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School.


Kimberly Heckler is a writer and the daughter-in-law of Margaret Heckler. She is a member of The Authors Guild and the Library of Congress Women's History and Gender Studies Group. She has devoted more than ten years to the creation of Margaret's biography.


Professor Linda J. Bilmes (moderator) is the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, is a leading expert on budgetary and public financial issues. Her research focuses on budgeting and public administration in the public, private and non-profit sectors. She is interested in how resources are allocated, particularly defense budgets, costs of war, veterans, sub-national budgeting and public lands. She is a full-time Harvard faculty member, teaching budgeting, cost accounting and public finance, and teaching workshops for newly-elected Mayors and Members of Congress. 


Lunch will be served.


Registration is not required for this event. If you do not have a Harvard ID, please enter via the Wexner Building entrance at the back of the HKS courtyard. You must present a government-issued ID to be granted entry to campus.

Speakers and Presenters

Kimberly Heckler, Author;
Linda Bilmes, Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Organizer

Additional Organizers

Harvard College Women’s Center