Jill Biden reshapes role of first lady

Jill Biden will make history as the first First Lady to hold a job while in the White House. Dr. Biden, who holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education, plans to keep teaching English at a community college in Virginia

WHITE HOUSE
West Wing: Oval Office and offices of senior staff
Executive Residence: Upper two floors
East Wing: Location of First Lady’s office


NOTABLE FIRST LADIES

Michelle Obama
(2009-16): Harvard-trained lawyer and first African-American first lady, focused on battling child obesity, empowering women, and supporting military families. She remains influential, with podcast and best-selling memoir

Hillary Clinton
(1993-2001): Qualified lawyer focused on women, families, and health care reform as first lady. Later served as Senator for New York, Secretary of State for Barack Obama and in 2016 was first woman nominated to run for president

Barbara Bush (1989-93) Very popular first lady who focused on promotion of literacy as signature cause. Strong advocate of volunteerism, she also backed programmes helping homeless and elderly people, and efforts to combat AIDS

Nancy Reagan (1981-89) 
Initially criticised for her expensive tastes, but won people over by her devoted support of her husband,
her Just Say No anti-drug campaign, and championing of Alzheimer’s patients after Ronald Reagan’s death in 2004

Rosalynn Carter
(1977-81): Engaged and active first lady, attended cabinet meetings and served as president’s envoy to
Latin America. She remains leading advocate for mental health research and other causes including quality
of life for elderly

Betty Ford (1974-77) 
Raised awareness of breast cancer following mastectomy in 1974. Co-founded Betty Ford Center for addiction treatment, and spoke openly about her own battle against drug and alcohol dependency

Jacqueline Kennedy
(1961-63): Noted for her style and elegance, Jackie brought glamour and sophistication to her office. Keen student of art and history, she masterminded extensive restoration of White House to preserve its legacy

Eleanor Roosevelt
(1933-45): Redefined role of first lady through active advocacy for child welfare, housing reform, and equal rights for women and racial minorities. Later played major role in drafting UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights


Sources: Whitehousehistory.org, Encyclopedia Britannica
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images, AP
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