Jill Biden

Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden (née Jacobs; born June 3, 1951) is an American educator and the current First Lady of the United States, serving since 2021 as the wife of President Joe Biden. She previously served as Second Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A career educator, she has maintained her role as a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009, making her the first First Lady to hold a paying job outside the White House while serving in the role.

Early Life and Education

Born in Hammonton, New Jersey, Jill Tracy Jacobs was the eldest of five daughters. Her father, Donald Carl Jacobs, was a bank teller and World War II Navy veteran who later became a bank executive. The family name was originally Giacoppo before being anglicized upon immigration from Sicily. Her mother, Bonny Jean Godfrey Jacobs, was a homemaker of English and Scottish descent.

The family moved several times during her childhood, living in Hatboro, Pennsylvania; Mahwah, New Jersey; and finally settling in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, where her father served as president of the InterCounty Savings and Loan. Though her parents were "agnostic realists," Biden attended Presbyterian services with her grandmother and was confirmed at age 16 at Abington Presbyterian Church.

She graduated from Upper Moreland High School in 1969, where she was known as both a good student and something of a prankster. Beginning work at age 15, including waitressing in Ocean City, New Jersey, she demonstrated early on her intention to pursue an independent career.

Academic Career and Early Marriage

Biden began her higher education at Brandywine Junior College studying fashion merchandising but found it unsatisfying. In 1970, she married Bill Stevenson and enrolled at the University of Delaware. The marriage ended in divorce in 1975, during which time she took a year off from college and did some modeling work in Wilmington.

She met Joe Biden in March 1975 on a blind date arranged by his brother Frank. Despite their nine-year age difference, they married on June 17, 1977, at the Chapel at the United Nations in New York City. She became stepmother to his sons Beau and Hunter, and in 1981, they welcomed their daughter Ashley.

Educational Background and Teaching Career

Biden's academic achievements include:

• Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware (1975)
• Master of Education in Reading from West Chester University (1981)
• Master of Arts in English from Villanova University (1987)
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership from the University of Delaware (2007)

Her teaching career spans over three decades:

• Taught English in Delaware high schools for 13 years
• Worked with emotionally disabled students at Rockford Center psychiatric hospital
• Taught at Delaware Technical & Community College for 15 years
• Professor at Northern Virginia Community College since 2009

Role as Second Lady (2009-2017)

As Second Lady, Biden broke new ground by continuing to teach full-time at Northern Virginia Community College, making her the first second lady to maintain a paying job while serving. She focused on several key initiatives:

• Advocating for community colleges and military families
• Leading the "Joining Forces" initiative with First Lady Michelle Obama
• Supporting the Cancer Moonshot 2020 program
• Promoting breast cancer awareness through the Biden Breast Health Initiative

During this period, she maintained a careful balance between her professional life as "Dr. B" to her students and her public role, often grading papers while traveling for official duties.

First Lady of the United States (2021-present)

Historic Aspects

Biden became First Lady on January 20, 2021, marking several historic firsts:

• First First Lady to hold a paid job outside the White House
• First Italian American First Lady
• Oldest First Lady to assume the role at age 69

Key Initiatives and Activities

As First Lady, Biden has focused on several major areas:

1. Education

• Continued teaching at Northern Virginia Community College
• Advocated for free community college tuition (though ultimately unsuccessful in the Build Back Better Act)
• Promoted education accessibility and support for teachers

1. Military Families

• Revived the Joining Forces program
• Visited over 34 military installations
• Launched the Hidden Helpers Coalition for children of wounded service members

1. Public Health

• Led COVID-19 vaccination awareness campaigns
• Advocated for women's health research
• Launched the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research

1. International Diplomacy

• Made significant diplomatic visits, including a historic trip to Ukraine during the Russian invasion
• Represented the U.S. at various international events, including the 2024 Olympics
• Engaged in cultural diplomacy and women's empowerment initiatives globally

Political Role and Influence

Biden has been noted as more politically active than previous first ladies, serving as:

• A key campaign surrogate and fundraiser
• An influential voice in administration staffing decisions
• A defender of her husband's policies and legacy

Her approval ratings have fluctuated, with some decline attributed to her more overtly political role compared to previous first ladies.

Personal Life and Public Image

Biden is known for:

• Her dedication to education and teaching
• Maintaining a relatively informal style as First Lady
• Balancing multiple roles as educator, First Lady, and family member
• Strong advocacy for military families and cancer research

She has authored several books:

• "Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself" (2019)
• "Joey: The Story of Joe Biden" (2020)
• "Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops" (2012)

Historical Significance

Jill Biden has redefined the role of First Lady through her continued professional career and active political engagement. Her tenure represents a significant shift in how the position of First Lady can be utilized for both public service and personal professional fulfillment, setting a precedent for future presidential spouses.