President Obama has appointed a transgender woman to his administration.

Amanda Simpson will be the Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce, marking the first time a U.S. president has appointed an openly transgender person.

In a statement Simpson said, " I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others."

Simpson, who is divorced with a 15-year-old son, began her transition from male to female in 2000.

Some conservatives say this move will not bode well for the president come 2012.