Where will women serve in Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue's Cabinet?

Since the modern Cabinet came into being in the 1970s, it's not been unusual for women to be appointed, but there remains a glass ceiling in five of the 10 jobs.

There have been no female secretaries of Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation, Crime Control, Correction or Juvenile Justice (in fairness, that last post was created in 2000).

Is that evidence of sexism? Environment, Correction and Transportation tend to have the biggest staffs and largest budgets among Cabinet posts, while Crime Control, Correction and Juvenile Justice all deal with public safety.

Women have held two other important posts, however.

There have been two female Health and Human Services secretaries: Dr. Sarah Morrow in the 1970s and Carmen Hooker Buell (later Odom) in the 2000s.

And there's been one female Commerce secretary: Estell Lee, who served from 1989 to 1991.

Still, women have fared better in posts that don't have as much power or visibility, although they are important in keeping the state running.

Jane S. Patterson was appointed the first female secretary of Administration in 1979. In 1993, Katie Dorsett became the first black woman to hold any Cabinet post, and in 2000, Gwynn Swinson became the second.

And Betsy Justus, Janice Faulkner and Muriel Offerman served as Revenue secretaries in the 1990s.

But the most female-friendly Cabinet post also has the least power. Since the job was created in 1971, five of the six secretaries of Cultural Resources have been women, but the department has the smallest budget and staff.

Former Gov. Jim Hunt and his wife Carolyn showed at a Wilson rally over the weekend for former President Bill Clinton.

Hunt, the former four-term governor who is still probably the state’s most influential Democrat, has not endorsed in the May 6 Democratic primary, Rob Christensen reports.

But Hunt likely knows how his appearance the Clinton rally is likely to be perceived.

Hunt’s former chief political lieutenant, former state Democratic chair Betty Rae McCain introduced Clinton at the Wilson rally. And helping Hillary Clinton in the state are a number of top Hunt loyalists including former state party chairman Tom Hendrickson, Winston-Salem businessman Bert Bennett and Jane Patterson, the former secretary of administration.

Hunt and Bill Clinton had a close working relationship. Hunt’s last two terms as governor coincided with Clinton’s presidency.

Earlier: Hunt endorsement would matter. 

Former President Bill Clinton will meet with key supporters later today at a reception at the Raleigh home of former Ambassador Jeannette Hyde.

“It’s actually for people willing to endorse Hillary Clinton or be on the statewide steering committee,” Hyde told Rob Christensen. “It’s kind of a briefing on the campaign and a thank you.”

Clinton will attend the private event after first appearing at public events in Charlotte and Cary.

Helping put the event together is former state Democratic chairman Tom Hendrickson, a Raleigh businessman. Among those expected to attend are former state Democratic chairwoman Barbara Allen, and Jane Patterson, a former secretary of administration.

Among the North Carolinians expected to endorse Clinton — although not attending tonight’s event — are retired Charlotte bank executive Hugh McColl; Hugh Shelton, the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff; and poet Maya Angelou, according to Hyde.