First Lady of the United States Jill Biden visited Salt Lake City, Utah where she spoke at Glendale Middle School and met with teachers, students and Relief Society General President Jean Bingham.
Relief Society, founded in 1842, is often noted as the largest and one of the world’s oldest women’s organizations in the world. It basic charter is caring for others. “We believe that the glory of God is intelligence…. and I really appreciate people who spend their time, give their time, educating others and helping them to become all that they can be…. Despite all the other things that have happened in her life, the First Lady has continued to champion education, and I’m so impressed with her,” President Bingham stated (see thechurchnews.com).
Celeste Ward, Relief Society president of the Chattanooga stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. Education promotes self-reliance, temporally and spiritually. Like president Bingham said, ‘Education should not be a political issue. It is a humanitarian response to helping everyone to develop their full potential.’ This is why we applaud the efforts of all who help individuals and families become their best.”
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is a community college educator and professor of writing at Northern Virginia Community College. As Second Lady, she traveled to nearly 40 countries “visiting military bases, hospitals, and refugee camps, and advocating for education and economic empowerment for women and girls” (see whitehouse.gov). She continued teaching throughout the eight years her husband served as vice president, and continues to teach now. “Teaching isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am,” Dr. Biden states.
The First Lady’s stop in Utah was part of a swing through the West, as the U.S. is beginning to open classrooms that were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The First Lady’s visit, president Bingham said, “gives a boost to emphasize how important education for children, youth and adults is” – in Utah, across America and around the world.