Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at the Latin American Educational Foundation’s Gala 2022

Denver, Colorado

Thank you, Brianna. It’s wonderful to hear how Pueblo Community College helped you find your path. She’s going to be the greatest teacher ever. One of the things that makes community colleges so special is that they meet students where they are and give them the support they need to thrive. So, thank you for sharing your story. 

Senator Bennet, since leading Denver Public Schools as superintendent, education has been the North Star that has guided your work. The students of Colorado and our entire nation are better off because of your leadership, and the President is grateful to have you as a partner. Michael and Susan, you’ve devoted your entire lives to public service, so thank you.  

I’m glad to be back in Denver. Yesterday, I was grateful to be welcomed at the airport by your First Gentleman, Marlon. Aren’t he and the Governor doing such a great job serving Colorado?  

Right now, Joe is on his way back from Poland. You may have seen yesterday on the TV that he met with our U.S. military members, and today he visited some Ukrainian families, as well as Jose Andres and his chefs, who are feeding so many refugees. He gave a powerful speech where he told the world that we’re standing together with our allies and our partners, holding Putin accountable and supporting the Ukrainian people. I just spoke to him earlier when he was on the flight back, and he wanted me to send you his best and let you know that he hopes to be back in Colorado soon.  

Now I understand that there are families in Boulder who had to evacuate their homes today for what is believed to be a wildfire, and so soon after the Marshall Fire. So please join me in praying for everyone’s safety and know that the President’s Homeland team is aware and will activate federal support if it’s needed. 

It’s an honor to join all of you to celebrate the Latin American Educational Foundation.  

Listening to Brianna speak, I was reminded of my own path to becoming a teacher.  

I grew up the oldest of five girls in a suburb of Philadelphia. As a teenager, I spent my summers watching the Phillies and waitressing at the Jersey Shore to save money for college. And from a young age, I knew I wanted two things: a marriage like my parents’—strong and loving and full of laughter—and I wanted a career. 

I set out to find those things, but my path was a bit meandering. 

One day, I was asked on a date from out of the blue.  

It was the seventies: Vietnam, love beads, equal rights—I wore my hair down to the middle of my back, and so did most of the men I dated! 

So, as you can guess, when a handsome, clean-cut young Senator showed up at my door, I took one look at his perfect suit and his leather loafers and thought: thank God… it’s only one date. 

But eventually, he won me over.  

I was in college when I realized that I wanted to teach. And when I married Joe a few years later, I wasn’t going to walk away from that.  

He had his job and I had mine. So, we raised our boys, Beau and Hunter, and then our daughter Ashley. I taught full-time. And I studied for my graduate degrees at night.   

Today, I live a funny kind of double life. To most Americans, I am Jill Biden, the First Lady. I get invited to beautiful galas and asked what it’s like to live in the most famous house in the world. But to one group of people, I’m just Dr. B—where the question I get asked the most is, “Dr. Biden, can I hand in my paper late?” 

A few weeks ago, my students began asking me what I was doing for spring break, and I told them I’d be traveling for my other job. Half of the class looked at me like I was crazy and said, “You have another job?!” And then it dawned on them: Oh yes. I do have another job.  

A lot people told me I was crazy to do both—but the truth is I couldn’t give up teaching. It’s just who I am. And my students remind me why that other half of my life matters so much.  

In my writing class, I’ve seen students find their voice when they lay their lives down on paper—and discover a confidence that they didn’t even know was hidden inside of them. I’ve seen how a college degree can change their lives.   

And every person who gets the chance to reach for their highest ambitions creates a domino effect.  

That’s the power of education.  

It connects us to our classmates, teaching us kindness and compassion for each other. It connects us to our community, instilling in the next generation the wisdom of those who came before. And it connects us to ourselves, teaching us that we can do more, go further, and grow into the people we want to become.   

This isn’t a red or blue issue. And we know that it’s not a “parents versus teachers” issue, either. 

We all want our schools to be places where children are nurtured and have the support that they need to thrive. We know that a democracy of “opportunity for some” isn’t democratic at all.  

We all know that everyone deserves the chance to work hard and go to college—no matter their background or zip code.  

That’s why the work of organizations like the Latin American Educational Foundation is so critical.  

And I want to say to all of the students here: I know that it hasn’t been easy. But you are on your way to becoming college graduates—and that is an accomplishment that will always be a part of who you are. I hope you feel immense pride for how far you’ve come. Your President and I are so proud of you.  

I want to end with something that I’ve learned from my students throughout the years.  

Like so many of you, they seem to be able to do it all. Multiple jobs, raising kids or caring for their parents, and finding time to write essays on top of all of that.  

But maybe their babysitter moves away—or their dad gets sick. Maybe the stress and strain of life gets to be too much, or a tragedy blows someone’s world apart.  

And they just can’t do it alone.  

Haven’t we all felt that in these last few years? 

As the oldest of five, as a mom and nana, I’ve always wanted to be strong for everyone. But my students remind me that, no matter how resilient, how self-sufficient we are, sometimes the weight of this life is just too much to carry by ourselves.  

A poet once wrote, “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” 

Sooner or later, we all have to walk through the fire. We will all stumble and fall. We will all feel alone.   

But we aren’t alone. People can’t always see the pain behind our smile. But if we give them the chance, they can help us shoulder the weight of our lives. 

We give our hearts in little ways: The words we use. The conscious decisions we make to be present. The small acts of kindness. 

And sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is lean on our communities. It’s a gift we give each other: our vulnerability; our brokenness; and the chance to be that strength in return. 

You know that. It’s why you’re here today—to show up. To give students who work so hard the opportunity that they’ve earned.   

The poet Rumi once wrote, “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” 

I see that here tonight. So, thank you for lifting up our students. Thank you for your commitment to LAEF. Thank you for letting the beauty of what you love be what you do, every day. 

God bless you. Thank you.  

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