Before President-elect Barack Obama heads to Hawaii for Christmas vacation, there are a few vacant cabinet positions that need filling. Now, a source close to the selection process has reportedly told the Associated Press that Obama’s tapping Hilda L. Solis to be named labor secretary.

The AP writes:

Obama planned to announce Solis’s selection on Friday along with his selection of Republican Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois for transportation secretary. The official spoke on conditions of anonymity because an announcement has not been made yet. A call to Solis’s office was not immediately returned.

The California congresswoman has been representing portions of East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley for seven years, according to the biography on her official website. Before being elected, she served eight years in the California state legislature. Solis is a pioneer for environmental justice. In August 2000, Solis became the first woman to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her pioneering work on environmental justice issues in California. Since March 2007, she’s served as a member of the House Select Committee on Energy Indepence and Global Warming.

Solis also spoke (in English and Spanish) about her support for oil independency when she announced her support for Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention. Watch

Solis will be replacing incumbent Elaine Chao. Six women have already served as secretary of labor, which is more than any other Cabinet position. The United States secretary of labor is the head of the Department of Labor, which enforces and suggests laws involving unions, the workplace and all other issues involving issues between employees and businesses.