Jill Biden’s Very Busy Week

Biden advocates for Barbara Bush’s fight for literacy, recognizes 15 women at “Girls Leading Change” event, visits the Menominee Nation and kicks it all off with an NFL watch party appearance.

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First Lady Dr. Jill Biden speaks at the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy 2023 National Celebration of Reading at The Kennedy Center on Wednesday. (Photo: Tony Powell)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Joins Authors and Entertainers to Advocate for Barbara Bush’s Family Literacy Legacy 

Oct. 11, 2023 — First Lady Dr. Jill Biden advocated for literacy Wednesday saying it is “crucial in a democracy.” 

Biden was a special guest speaker at The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s 2023 National Celebration of Reading. The event, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., brought together Bush family members, bestselling authors and entertainers, and other guests including Helena Andrews-Dyer, Franc D'Ambrosio, Jeff Nussbaum, Steven Rowley, Cheryl Strayed and Rebecca Yarros, according to the foundation. 

"Reading forces us to challenge our preconceived notions, question our underlying assumptions, and wrestle with uncomfortable truths. Few skills are as crucial in a democracy that owes its endurance to engaged and informed citizens," said Biden. "That's why the work all of you are doing to promote literacy is so important.”

Doro Bush Koch, daughter of President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, and honorary chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation, said literacy was essential for a country.

“A country where everyone has the ability to read, write and comprehend can thrive today, and for generations to come," she said.

The Barbara Bush Foundation hosted the National Celebration of Reading, emceed by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart, to promote awareness of low literacy in the United States and raise support for the Foundation's work providing family literacy services to parents and children across the United States. 

The Hill

Jill Biden Recognizes 15 Women at ‘Girls Leading Change’ Event 

Oct. 11, 2023 — Jill Biden is recognizing 15 young women as part of an inaugural “Girls Leading Change” event at the White House timed to coincide with the International Day of the Girl Child. Read more

Wisconsin Public Radio

First Lady Jill Biden Visits Menominee Nation During 2-day Stop in Northeast Wisconsin

Oct. 10, 2023 — Biden toured the Menominee Tribal Enterprises’ Sawmill, the College of Menominee Nation and spoke at a Women’s Empowerment Summit and Training that was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She was joined on her visit by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. A member of the Pueblo of Laguna of New Mexico, Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Read more

WBAY

First Lady Jill Biden Visits Green Bay During Packers Game

Oct. 9, 2023 — First Lady Dr. Jill Biden attends the NFL Crucial Catch Monday Night Football Watch Party to promote cancer detection screenings. View here

The University of Kansas

Communication Studies Scholar Diana Carlin Publishes New Book on America's First Ladies

Oct. 9, 2023 — Diana Carlin, retired professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, has published a pioneering textbook shedding light on the transformative legacies of America’s first ladies. Read more

Florida Politics

Casey DeSantis Embraces Melania Trump Comparison

Oct. 7, 2023 — Florida’s first lady is happy to be compared to the most recent former American first lady. That’s the takeaway from Casey DeSantis’ comments Saturday in Iowa.

“They call you, like, Walmart Melania, which, by the way, if I’m in the same sentence with Melania, that’s a win for me,” she said, referring to Melania Trump. Read more

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

First Lady Jill Biden to Visit Northeastern Wisconsin on Monday and Tuesday

Oct. 6, 2023 — First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will spend two days in northeastern Wisconsin early next week to promote cancer detection screenings during a Monday Night Football watch party before meeting with members of the Menominee Nation the next day. Read more

Poughkeepsie Journal

First Lady Jill Biden Arrives at Stewart Airport, Visits DCC

Oct. 6, 2023 — Photo gallery: First Lady Jill Biden speaks during her visit to the Dutchess Community College mechatronics lab at the Fishkill campus. View here

Mid Hudson News

First Lady Cuts Ribbon on New DCC Fishkill Lab

Oct. 6, 2023 — First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, speaking last week at the new Dutchess County Community College Mechatronics facility at the Fishkill Campus, talked of the need for a good education and the support of the administration. Read more