Debra Steidel Wall Explained

Debra Steidel Wall
Office:Archivist of the United States
President:Joe Biden
Status:Acting
Term Start:May 1, 2022
Term End:May 17, 2023
Predecessor:David Ferriero
Education:Georgetown University (BA)
American University (MA)

Debra Steidel Wall is an American archivist who served as the acting archivist of the United States, the head of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Education

Wall earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in film from the American University.[1] [2]

Career

Wall began her career at the National Archives in 1991 as an archivist trainee with a specialty in film. She served as the agency's chief of staff of the National Archives from 2008 to 2011. Wall became deputy archivist in July 2011, the second highest position at the agency.[3]

In 2018, she was appointed to the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.

On May 1, 2022, Wall became acting archivist upon the retirement of David Ferriero.[4]

In 2023, Wall was named in a lawsuit filed against her and others including National Archives security guards for alleged civil rights violations under the First and Fifth Amendments. The individuals who filed the lawsuit claimed in the suit that they were asked to remove attire with "pro-life" slogans.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: December 6, 2018 . Deputy Archivist Debra Steidel Wall to Serve on Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission . National Archives.
  2. Web site: says . Karen Needles . Debra Wall Appointed Deputy Archivist of the United States – National Coalition For History .
  3. Web site: July 12, 2011 . Mattituck native named deputy archivist at National Archives . The Suffolk Times.
  4. Web site: May 1, 2022 . Acting Archivist of the United States . National Archives and Records Administration.
  5. Web site: February 10, 2023 . Abortion rights opponents file suit against Smithsonian, National Archives . WTOP News.