Barack Obama

"Cathy is a longtime advocate for women, for justice, for fairness," President Obama said as he introduced his nominee. "We know that she's going to be powerful voice for women and girls around the world."

The Ambassador's post was created four years ago by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her "sole job it is to make sure that women and girls are a central part of every aspect of our foreign policy, that their concerns are considered at the highest level of our diplomatic decision-making," President Obama explained. He hailed Clinton herself as "a tireless advocate for women."

According to the President, Russel has been instrumental in Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden's Joining Forces initiative. Russel previously worked at the Justice Department during the Clinton Administration, and was an administrative assistant to Vice President Joe Biden during his Senate days. She is married to Tom Donilon, President Obama's National Security Adviser.