Sonceria Ann Berry was sworn in as the 34th secretary of the United States Senate on March 1, 2021. Berry is the first African American to serve in this position and the eighth woman to hold the office.
Berry first came to the Senate in 1979, and served 18 years in many positions on Senator Howell Heflin’s staff. After he retired, she worked for Senators Daniel Patrick Moynihan, John Edwards, and Tom Carper. She also led the transition team for Senator Doug Jones, and most recently served as the deputy chief of staff to the Senate president pro tempore, Senator Patrick Leahy, who swore her in as the new secretary.
Berry grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended the University of North Alabama, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in education and participated in the Senior Executive Leadership program at Georgetown University.
Berry is married to Reginald Berry and they have one daughter.
