Daphne Trimble, the wife of former first minister David Trimble, has been named by Secretary of State Paul Murphy as one of nine new equality commissioners.
Mr Murphy welcomed the commissioners yesterday, saying they would bring a broad range of skills and expertise to the Equality Commission.
"I am delighted to make these new appointments," he said.
"The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has an enormously important task (for) which these new commissioners have a great deal of fresh talent and expertise."
Mrs Trimble is one of nine new commissioners. University of Ulster academics Eileen Evason and Derick Wilson are also among those appointed.
Anne O'Reilly from Help the Aged replaces Bronagh Hinds as deputy chief commissioner.
SDLP equality spokeswoman Patricia Lewsley said she was disappointed that there was no-one on the commission with a disability or from a minority ethnic background.
"My initial reaction is one of disappointment," she said.
"There were people with both ethnic minority and disabled backgrounds that were capable of filling these nine positions.
"It is not tenable that both have been sidelined. Very often people from ethnic minorities and disabled people would use the Equality Commission more than any other."
Mr Murphy said he would be taking steps to ensure that the commission would be representative of the community in Northern Ireland in the next appointment process.
