In 1977, Harris became the first African American woman appointed as a U.S. Cabinet secretary at HUD.
In January 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Patricia Roberts Harris as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), establishing her as the first African American woman to serve as a cabinet secretary in the United States. Her appointment was considered a momentous occasion, as it represented the breaking of gender and racial barriers at the highest levels of government. Harris's tenure at HUD focused on urban development, fair housing practices, and confronting poverty. Her role highlighted the increasing diversification of political leadership in the United States, effectively setting the stage for future generations of African American women in politics.