First Lady Jill Fights for the Bills

As an advocate for education and financial stability for military children, cancer patients, immunocompromised children, and more, First Lady Jill Biden has had an active career in serving the American public. This has continued on a community level as she decided to resume teaching at NOVA, a community college in Alexandria, VA. Though this time, with a flock of secret service agents shielding her.

Biden, an English Professor at NOVA, with a doctorate in education leadership, launched a program at NOVA’s women’s center to help maintain and advance the amount of women enrolled. Biden worked with Nazila Jamshidi, an immigrant from Afghanistan, to aid other Afghan women in adapting to the new environment, curriculum, and cultural differences. Biden analyzed Jamshidi’s plan, modifying it as needed. With her support, Jamshidi’s meliorated and enhanced plan led to the establishment of the Afghan American Student Council at NOVA.

Dr. Biden has aimed to make a positive impact on the world. She is described as a compassionate, engaging, and respected professional by her students.  However, unbeknownst to them, she kept her identity as the First Lady a secret-- English Professor Wednesdays and Thursdays, secret First Lady all day, every day.

Mrs. Hamlin, Oakton’s Women’s History teacher, thinks it’s amazing that the First Lady is continuing her teaching career. She believes no one should just be the First Lady or Gentlemen if they don’t want to be. Mrs. Hamlin loves that First Lady Biden has an “out of White House job.” She believes they are continuities rather than changes, such as “continuing to the traditional First Lady role, being an advocate and a support system. I think the only change is that she is continuing her career as an English professor.”

Given Dr. Biden's status and education, she has incredible opportunities to inspire and create change in the world. Mrs. Hamlin hopes that “...it inspires First Ladies and First Gentlemen of the future to continue doing whatever they’re passionate about.”

Dr. Biden took the unique opportunity of continuing her job to shift the societal prejudices around women continuing their careers. Mrs. Hamlin is incredibly proud and happy that Biden is breaking out of societal barriers around women, “In an ideal world, everybody should have the type of career they want. Our society puts a lot of barriers around women. Seeing her say, ‘I want to do this job’ is inspirational.”

First Lady Jill Biden is not only an influential first lady but an inspiring English Professor at NOVA. After deciding to continue her teaching career, she is inspiring change for women and those seeking an education. As an advocate for the underprivileged, minorities, and more, Biden is breaking out of societal barriers, educating her students for a better future, and inspiring change.