Ann Brown 838

Ann Brown served as Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission from March 1994 to November 2001. She was nominated to that position by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a Commissioner and the seventh Chairman of the CPSC. In 1999, the President nominated Chairman Brown for a second term, and the Senate confirmed her.

As Chairman, Mrs. Brown was recognized for gaining publicity for the agency’s work through appearances on the Today show and other national media, for revitalizing the agency, and for demonstrating outstanding commitment, caring and concern for the safety of America’s families.

For more than two decades prior to her appointment, Mrs. Brown was a consumer advocate. She served as vice president of the Consumer Federation of America for 15 years and as chairman of the board of the consumer advocacy group Public Voice from 1983 to 1994.

Mrs. Brown was recognized for her achievements for children by the American Academy of Pediatrics with its Excellence in Public Service Award in 2000 and by the National Safe Kids Campaign with its Champion of Safe Kids award. Mrs. Brown also received the Consumer Federation of America’s Philip Hart Public Service Award, the Government Communicator of the Year Award and, in 2000, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Smith College. She was previously named “Washingtonian of the Year” by Washingtonian magazine.