News
Jill Biden reinvents role of US first lady
Jill Biden promotes Covid vaccines and takes part in political rallies — but only when her college professor schedule allows.
In her quiet way, Jill Biden is reinventing the traditional role of the First Lady of the United States.
Attending a former governor’s funeral last week, President Joe Biden had to apologize for his wife’s absence.
“The reason Jill is not with me today is she’s teaching today, full-time as a professor at Northern Virginia Community College,” the president said.
The announcement in September that the first lady was resuming face-to-face instruction at her college made headlines in the American press.
Never before had a presidential spouse had a professional career outside the White House.
Jill Biden, now 70, married Joe Biden in 1977, when he was a widowed senator with two young boys. The couple later had a daughter together.
A member of the national teachers’ union with a doctorate degree in education, Jill Biden continued teaching while her husband served as vice president under Barack Obama.
US First Lady Jill Biden attends a Veterans Day event at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary in Arlington, Virginia on November 11, 2021. PHOTO: Nicholas Kamm / AFP
Like most educators in the United States, she taught remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, before returning to in-person instruction this fall. She now teaches English and writing two days a week.
When she is not in the classroom, the slim, blond-haired Biden can be seen by the president’s side at private and public events, but also, more and more often, alone on stage.
– Vaccination –
The first lady is traveling around the country urging Americans to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and — ever since vaccines were approved for teenagers and younger kids — to also immunize their children.
She has also campaigned in support of a Democratic candidate in a local election, attended the Tokyo Olympics and was seen in a cafe with Brigitte Macron, the French president’s wife, as Washington was caught in a diplomatic crisis with Paris.
“She certainly has been sort of picking up the pace of her public appearances lately,” said Tammy Vigil, associate professor of media science at Boston University’s College of Communication.
“In the modern era, it’s extremely expected of first ladies that they become more and more publicly active.”
Jackie Kennedy sought to preserve America’s cultural heritage and famously redecorated the White House. Nancy Reagan campaigned against drug use. And Michelle Obama launched a major movement promoting healthy eating and exercise among American children.
By contrast, Michelle Obama’s successor Melania Trump “got into a lot of trouble because she wasn’t as active as she should be in terms of public service,” Vigil said.
Unlike Michelle Obama, who faced openly racist and sexist attacks, Jill Biden has so far been largely spared aggression — even in today’s tense political climate.
That said, she still came under considerable scrutiny.
Earlier this year CNN published a column on its website urging her to exhibit more “restraint” in her fashion choices, after she was seen wearing a black leather skirt and patterned black tights.
“It’s part of her high-profile, first lady job to look dignified. And gracious,” psychologist Peggy Drexler opined in the piece.
And in late 2020, the conservative-leaning Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece, calling into question Biden’s academic credentials.
“Any chance you might drop the “Dr.” before your name?” the columnist asked. “Dr. Jill Biden” sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic.”
The piece caused a public uproar for its message and condescending tone.
“The First Ladyship has been behind the times as far as representing what American women do and how they really live,” said Vigil, the Boston University professor.
But while Biden pushes the boundaries of her role, she also tries to tread a careful line, mindful that the US first lady is not an elected official and does not possess official powers or duties.
She does not openly meddle in politics, although some commentators see her as the inspiration behind Joe Biden’s short-lived initiative to offer two years of free community college to young Americans.
In her day, Hillary Clinton faced sharp criticism for being too active in promoting health care reforms while her husband was president.
If the family life of a US president and the role of first lady are still subject to “conservative” views in America, Vigil said that other members of Biden’s administration are pushing the boundaries in different ways.
Among them is Vice President Kamala Harris, whose spouse Doug Emhoff is the first-ever “Second Gentleman” of the United States. There is also Transportation Secretary Pete Buttitieg, who happily talks about the infant twins he has with his husband.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has donated a 500KVA transformer and N10 million in support of the 14th Annual Conference of the Ibadan Baptist Conference.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the donations on Tuesday while addressing participants at the conference, which was held under the theme, “By His Spirit.”
Speaking at the event, Oseni, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the Baptist Conference for giving him the opportunity to address the gathering. He commended the church for its contributions to the spread of the gospel and its impact on education, humanitarian services and other areas of human development.
The lawmaker said the challenges facing society could not be overcome through human efforts alone, stressing the need for divine guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Our efforts are important, but human efforts alone are not enough. We need the direction of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our individual lives and in the affairs of our communities,” he said.
Oseni urged the congregation to combine faith with responsible action, saying lasting transformation could only be achieved when individuals and communities sought divine direction while taking practical steps to address their challenges.
He also encouraged Christians to take greater interest in politics and governance, noting that everyone votes remained an important instrument for determining the quality of leadership in the country.
According to him, “Votes count in Nigeria. Therefore, Christians must not remain on the sidelines. We must participate in politics, contribute ideas and collectively seek solutions to the challenges confronting our society. Governance is about the people and the delivery of services that improve their lives.”
The Oyo South senatorial candidate also solicited support for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates, saying leaders should be judged by their commitment to serving the people. He said the participation of responsible citizens in politics was necessary to promote good governance and ensure that public offices were used for the benefit of the people.
Quoting Proverbs 29:2, Oseni said, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” He added that such rejoicing should be reflected in improved quality of representation, education, electricity, potable water, empowerment, healthcare, security, infrastructure, economic opportunities and good governance.
He said, “When the people have quality representation and can see the impact of government in their daily lives, that is when they will truly rejoice. Our people deserve access to good education, healthcare, potable water, electricity, security, infrastructure and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.”
Oseni further urged the congregation to remain united and continue to pray for the country and its leaders, particularly those entrusted with public responsibilities. He appealed to leaders at all levels to always seek wisdom and do what was right in the interest of the people, while assuring the people of his continued commitment to quality representation and service to humanity.
In his remarks, the President of the Ibadan Baptist Conference, Rev. Oyekola Bamidele, commended Oseni for his performance in office and his commitment to humanity.
Oyekola described the lawmaker as “one of our own,” acknowledging his contributions to the development and wellbeing of the people.
The Conference President subsequently invited church leaders, elders and members of the congregation to join him in prayers for Oseni, committing his leadership and future political ambition into the hands of God.
(C) Mega Icon Magazine
