A rocket scientist with 30 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, Simpson is now serving as a senior technical advisor in the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. Her job entails managing exports of dual use technology—that which has both civilian and military capability—to other nations.

 

Born Mitchell Simpson in Chicago, she spent seven years in transition to being a woman. In 2004, she ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives.

 

Other transgender individuals have had a tougher time getting situated in new positions in Washington. Five years ago, Diane Schroer was offered a job as a terrorism research analyst for the Library of Congress, following a 25-year career in the military that ended with a rank of colonel and service in the Army Special Forces. But once Schroer told her new employer she was getting a sex change, the employment offer was revoked. She later sued the Library of Congress on grounds of discrimination and won her case with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Amanda Simpson: A Transgender Rocket Scientist Goes to Washington (by Joanne Herman, Huffington Post)

First Transgender Presidential Appointee Fears Being Labeled 'Token' (by Russell Goldman, ABC News)

Transgender Veteran Wins Discrimination Lawsuit against Library of Congress (by Vivian Kim, AllGov)