"When President-elect George W. Bush nominated Linda Chavez to be Secretary of Labor in January 2001, most political observers saw it as a nod to the right. Chavez was well-known in conservative circles, having served in President Ronald Reagan's administration in a number of high-profile positions and as a frequent talk-show guest and syndicated columnist. Known for her tough stance on controversial issues, Chavez made her reputation taking on the civil rights establishment, the feminist movement, and the multi-culturalists. What few people knew was that this articulate, hard-nosed conservative began her career among socialists and labor union officials, teaching in college affirmative action programs and writing campaign leaflets for the Democratic National Committee.". "An Unlikely Conservative provides an insider's view of the presidential appointment process and gives colorful accounts of the affirmative action debacle on university campuses, including the reign of terror Chavez encountered at the hands of Chicano students and activists at the University of Colorado and UCLA. After threats of attacks with bombs and switchblades, Chavez learned quickly that opposing racial quotas and ethnic studies carried a high personal cost.". "From her often tragic early years in the Southwest to her meteoric rise in Republican circles, Chavez's path put her at the center of some of the most important conflicts of our time. The daughter of a hard-luck, Mexican-American house painter and a blue-eyed, blond restaurant worker, Chavez survived the loss of four siblings and a chaotic childhood to become an influential public policy advocate and one of the most prominent female conservatives in the country."--BOOK JACKET.