The US First Lady: Jill Biden Visits Ukraine

Jill Biden has broken the First Lady mold. What was this mold in the first place?

• Yesterday, people across the globe celebrated mother’s day and US First Lady, Jill Biden, marked the occasion with an unannounced visit to Ukraine - where she met with the first lady Olena Zelenska.
• Zelenska praised Biden, describing her act as “courageous”. Jill Biden is one of few political figures to travel to Ukraine whilst the war has been active.
• The visit has been Biden’s highest-profile diplomatic engagement since President Biden took office and is considered to be a part of a broader push to demonstrate support for Ukraine.
• It has been suggested that Jill Biden’s trip has enhanced a role which she has been carving out on an issue which has dominated US foreign policy over the past three months.
• Neither President Biden nor Kamala Harris have visited Ukraine, what does this say about the First Lady? Jill Biden has never fit in a mold, but what is the mold of America’s First Lady?
• Jill Biden has long opted for her profession title, Dr Biden, rather than her political title. She was the first Second Lady to hold a paying job whilst her husband was Vice President.