Final answer:
Loretta Lynch succeeded Eric Holder in a government job as the Attorney General of the United States, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option (a) Loretta Lynch.
After a lengthy 166-day confirmation process, Loretta Lynch succeeded Eric Holder in a government job. Lynch was confirmed as the Attorney General of the United States, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position. Lynch's confirmation process was a significant event due to its duration and the historic nature of her appointment.