President-elect Obama has announced his choice for labor secretary -- 51-year old Hilda Solis.

She will replace the longest serving Secretary of Labor since World War II. Elaine Chao is the only member of President Bush (web | news | bio) 's cabinet who has been there all eight years.

Chao was eight years old when her family came to the U.S. from China on a cargo ship.

"I can't imagine how my mother who didn't speak English, who didn't read English, could got to the supermarket and how she managed to buy food and things for the family. And yet she did, she never complained and made a wonderfully comfortable and secure home for us all," said Chao.

Chao says that experience taught her to work hard and make the most of the opportunities in this country. She ultimately received her MBA from Harvard Business School, became director of the Peace Corps and president of the United Way. After other government jobs, Chao became Secretary of Labor in 2001. She says she is proud of the health and safety record of the country's workforce. But with unemployment at 6.7 percent and a contentious relationship with unionized labor, Chao is not without her critics.

"One thing you learn in public office is despite your very best efforts you're gonna get criticized," said Chao.

Chao says now it's time to spend time with her husband, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, get back to volunteering and ultimately, live at a slower pace.

"I think it'll be kind of nice to be out of the limelight," she said.

As for the newly selected Labor Secretary, Chao says her best advice is to work on a bipartisan basis and use the wide range of knowledge from the labor department staff.

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