Dr. Jill Biden’s approach to her role as first lady made her the first to keep her career while her husband is serving as the nation’s president, writes Katie Rogers for The New York Times.

Biden, who grew up in Willow Grove, decided to keep working as an English professor after moving into the White House, preserving her career and identity.

While becoming first lady was the honor of a lifetime for her, Biden emphasized that it just was not her day job.

It was not easy convincing her husband that going back to the classroom at Northern Virginia Community College after taking a leave of absence to help his campaign was a good idea.

There was the question of earning a salary without violating ethics laws and the worry that she would be taking too much on.

But while she listened to the President’s concerns patiently, she did not change her mind.

“Of course, you know, people around me said, ‘No, no, you can never do it,’” recalled Biden in an interview. “And I said, ‘I’m going to do it. So figure it out.’”

Read more about Jill Biden and her approach to serving as the country’s first lady in The New York Times.

______________