First Lady Jill Biden throws big support to women’s health research

American First Ladies have long had influence on national policy. First Lady Jill Biden is using her role to support women’s health research as many of her predecessors have done.

First Ladies have long been asked to advocate for causes relevant to the well-being of Americans, particularly on public health. The question for each first lady is how to prioritize requests, leveraging their podium to better serve the public – and push societal advances to meet changing times.  

The office of the first lady and the role these women can play in an administration is often misunderstood or relegated to a "second story" in American history. But I saw the influence of this office firsthand in my years working in the White House and, over the last decade, leading an initiative at American University’s School of Public Affairs that researches and promotes the legacies of American First Ladies. From both experiences, one thing is clear: Don’t discount the influence of the president’s spouse.