Julie Pace

I have been reading about the First Ladies for over twenty years, beginning when I was designing and researching to make my quilt Remember the Ladies, a Redwork quilt featuring the wives of the presidents.

I have always felt sympathetic to the First Ladies. They are not elected. They have no job description. Their every move is scrutinized. They are open targets for criticism and idolization. They work to represent our country—for free. They are required to live in a house they don’t own and have little control over. Having spent over 30 years as a minister’s wife, living in a parsonage, I have an inkling of what they experience.

The Biden presidency is not over, and who knows what lies in store for the Bidens. But it was interesting to read this biography and learn about how Jill ‘got to here.’

Dr. Jill Biden knew what she was getting into when she finally accepted Joe’s proposal. He was a U.S. Senator, a father of two sons who had lost his wife and a daughter in a tragic accident. He fell for Jill early, and hard.

A non-political teacher and registered Republican, Jill wasn’t sure she wanted the lifestyle that came with being a politician’s wife. But after four years as an unofficial Biden, dating Joe and helping with his children Beau and Hunter, Joe stood his ground: marriage, or he needed to end their relationship.

Jill understood that she had to keep being herself, doing the things that kept her balanced and independent. Running. Teaching. She and Joe had a daughter, so she was parenting three children as well. When Joe suffered an aneurysm, Jill kept it together, juggling all those balls. When Joe decided to run for president, Jill fit campaigning into her schedule.

Over the years, Jill became stronger, staying true to herself while feeling more comfortable with the role of politician’s wife. Her students note that Jill was always supportive, a good listener, fun, and involved. Her innate kindness and generosity of spirit was noted by all, from the secret service men who protected them to the families of those in the military. The biography notes the ways that Jill has expanded the role of First Lady, the first to continue her career while in the White House.

This biography is straight forward with little perceived bias, even when narrating Jill’s loss of faith after Beau’s death and the criticisms of Hunter’s addiction issues and other struggles. The book is comprehensive, drawing from a multitude of sources and interviews.

I had previously read a biography about Joe Biden, his memoir Promise Me Dad, and a brief biography. It was a pleasure to further my acquaintance with this remarkable First Lady and teacher who took on the difficult role of wife and step mother in the public eye.

I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.… (altro)