Loretta Lynch has used her Harvard law degree to pursue many avenues, from private practice to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Most notably, Lynch was the first female African-American attorney general, nominated under President Barack Obama. She was born in 1959.

Lynch spent her career leading up to the nomination fighting for human rights in the United States and abroad. She prosecuted cases such as that of Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant who was sexually assaulted by New York City police. While in private practice, she focused on pro bono work for the United Nations’ International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Once she was confirmed as attorney general, Lynch led investigations and supported reforms on police brutality. She left office in 2017.