In January of 1993, Carol Browner became the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she fulfills her mission to protect the nation’s air, water and soft. Browner says that she wants her son and all American children to be able to grow up and enjoy a clean, safe environment, without needless exposure to harmful pollution.

“My parents grew up in Ireland. My father was born and raised in Limerick. He came to the U.S. in 1950 and served in the Army in Korea before becoming a U.S. citizen. Because of his service, the government helped him become a college professor. My mother is also a college professor. My parents worked hard to become teachers so that they could give something back to the country that gave them so much. My Irish heritage taught me to be proud of my roots and that I have a responsibility to give something back. That is what I do each and every day — by working to protect our environment, by serving in our government.”