Get To Know Jill Biden, The New First Lady Of The United States
Here are 10 things to know about Mrs. Biden!
Everyone knows the idiom that goes, "Behind every great man is a great woman." It's been interpreted in different ways over time, but it's generally accepted to mean that a man of power and influence wouldn't be in the position he's in without the behind-the-scenes contributions of a woman.
When it comes to new First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), Jill Biden, however, she's certainly not the kind of woman to peg her success on that of her husband, President-elect Joe Biden—rather than solely stand behind him, she stands alongside him. She's a force in and of herself worthy of her new title and the responsibility it brings.
If you thought VP-elect Kamala Harris was the only woman to make history in the 2020 US Election, the new FLOTUS Jill Biden did, too; out of 45-plus women who have held the position that was established more than two centuries ago, she's the first to keep her status as a professional while fulfilling her role as the first lady, rather than devote all her time to supporting the President's causes. It's one of the many things she has stood out and been admired for.
She often talks about bringing the 21st century woman into the White House to introduce a new kind of female leadership to American and beyond, something she has succeeded in, even before election results were announced.
There's so much to learn about new FLOTUS Jill Biden who's also a lifelong learner, educator, mom and grandma, and yes, even a dog lover and proud sports fan.
Check out the gallery below for 10 quick facts about this amazing woman:
get to know first lady jill biden
get to know first lady jill biden
A passionate teacher and student
The job that Jill wanted to keep while being America's First Lady is teaching. She's taught all her life and in an interview, said that teaching isn't what she does for a living, but who she is. She's taught high school and college throughout her career that has spanned more than 30 years as an educator. (She teaches English, mostly!). Aside from teaching students, she is also a lifelong student. Soon after earning her college degree, she went back to school for two Master's degrees, and rounded things up with a Doctoral degree, all of which related to education and English.
A supporter of military families
She's supportive of military families' needs, especially those of children. That's because one of her children, step-son Beau Biden, is a serviceman himself, so she and Joe know the challenges (and tragedies) that fall on the family members of families with active servicemen and women. Some of the ways she's helped military families include supporting educational initiatives for young children, helping soldiers find work, and helping veterans find the resources to aid them in assimilating back into society. Most of her projects were launched in partnership with former First Lady, Michelle Obama.
As Mrs. Biden
She didn't think she and Joe Biden would ever make it work, mostly because he wasn't "her type." They had their first date in 1975 and Jill was used to dating men with a more free-spirited approach to life, and then there came Joe, a straight-edged, clean-cut man who was in every way a proper gentleman. It wasn't what she was used to and she was skeptical but boy was she glad she gave him a shot! According to her, he proposed five times before she agreed to marrying him. Two years after their first date, they were Mr. and Mrs. Biden.
A published writer
She has two books that she authored: a children's book titled "Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops," which was inspired by her granddaughter Natalie. Natalie's father was soldier Beau who passed away in 2015. Her second title, "Joey: The Story of Joe Biden," was published just this year and is all about her husband's childhood. It's full of colorful pictures and even more colorful stories of his best memories, family anecdotes, and turning points in his youth.
A cancer advocate
Another one of Jill (and Joe's) biggest advocacies is supporting cancer initiatives. That's because Beau, despite being a military man, did not pass away while on active duty. It was brain cancer that caused his too-early death at 46-year-old. Outside of her family, Jill also had four friends diagnosed with breast cancer, all in the same year. Jill's work in these initiatives involves supporting clinical research, early detection, holistic care, and treatment plans.
A sporty woman
She's incredibly sporty! She loves to go for solo runs, but sadly, she'll have to forego the pleasures of running alone as she'll be accompanied by Secret Service everywhere, soon. She has an exercise regimen that she's absolutely committed to doing, and we're betting that's a huge part of why she looks as great at she does at 69-year-old. This five times-weekly workout routine consists of two things: a five-mile run for cardio, followed by weight training for muscle definition! On some occasions, she also does barre and cycling classes.
As a loving wife
Jill doesn't mind showing her love for her husband. That's not to say that she's publicly affectionate for him, but she's unafraid to talk about him as exactly that—a husband she loves, rather than just a politician she just happens to be married to. Her marriage to Joe is full of beautiful moments and TLC. In fact, the best proof of this came in March when Joe was onstage, delivering a campaign speech, and two potentially dangerous activists stormed the podium to cause mayhem. She literally used her body as a shield to protect Joe, and even pushed away one of the two activists to put more distance between them and Joe (no one was injured, by the way). Naturally, the episode made her an Internet sensation in the days that followed!
A role model for modern women
She's a woman who said she believes she can "have it all." That's her take on success; that critical facets of a woman's life and things she loves and is interested in don't have to be compromised in order to fulfill a new responsibility, role, or commitment to be of service to others. As the new First Lady, she intends on walking her talk. She is, after all, an accomplished professional, a parent, a spouse, an advocate, and more; she has zero plans of giving any of those up now that her husband has the most important full-time political career of them all. She knows it won't be easy, but she's up for the challenge. Can anyone say role model for modern women?
As an inspiring mother
Jill only has one biological child with Joe Biden: their daughter, Ashley, who shares the same passion for social work as her parents and the same attitude towards "having it all," like her mom. Ashley is an activist, philanthropist, and fashion designer all in one. Talking more about her family life, Jill doesn't hide the fact that she is a divorcee; she first got married in 1970, but her first marriage would only last four years. When she married Joe Biden, she embraced his kids like her own and altogether. Gone are the days when women in positions like hers are expected to be models of perfection and flawlessness!
A fun friend
Last but not least, Jill has an awesome reputation for having a great sense of humor and a zest for life. She's a practical joker (read: one that uses fake rats and snakes to scare people) first and foremost, and you can totally depend on her to be that person to organize random get-togethers, invite you to join her on obscure trips or explore unheard-of hobbies, just because. By the sound of it, she's a ton of fun to be around no matter what your relationship to her is.
Photos from @drbiden
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