Jill Biden Focuses Empowerment of Women and Girls During Mexico Trip

Jill Biden, the first lady, is in Mexico with President Biden for the North American Leaders’ Summit this week, though she is expected to have a largely independent schedule with several events focused on the empowerment of women and girls.

Dr. Biden arrived in Mexico City on Sunday, separately from the president. She stressed the importance of economic opportunities for women in remarks on Monday at the official residence of Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

“Empowered women power our economies,” Dr. Biden said. “They are the heart of a strong democracy.” .

Dr. Biden addressed her own decision to continue working after her husband took office, in what was a first for an American first lady, saying she could not give up her career as an English professor after working so hard to build it.

“So I do what women do — I do both!” Dr. Biden said, according to prepared remarks shared by the White House. “Teaching isn’t just what I do — it’s a part of who I am.”

The first lady also met with children in Mexico City for a flag football program, known as Tochito NFL, that is run by the National Football League. She was joined by Diana Flores, the flag football star who helped the Mexican women’s team take home the gold medal at the World Games in 2022.

Dr. Biden is expected to attend a spousal lunch on Tuesday with two other first ladies, Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller of Mexico and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau of Canada, followed by a tour of the Aztec ruins at Templo Mayor.