First Lady Pool Reports of April 24, 2024

Good Morning,

I will be your FLOTUS print pooler today- we have two events expected.

See details below from your planning needs—

DAILY GUIDANCE FOR THE FIRST LADY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024

At 11:00 AM, as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military and veteran families, First Lady Jill Biden will welcome wounded warriors, their caregivers, and families to the White House as part of the annual Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride. This event is open to pre-credentialed media. It will be livestreamed at WhiteHouse.gov/live.

At 12:30 PM, as part of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research, the First Lady will deliver remarks at "The Power of Research: The Need for Gender Equity" symposium hosted by Maria Shriver, the Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic, and the Society for Women's Health Research in Washington, D.C. This event is open to pre-credentialed media. For interested media, please contact [email redacted by the APP].

A beautiful, sunny and 68 day on the south lawn. We await the start of the event. Which you can watch live at whitehouse.gov/live.
Mr he WH band was playing for a bit. Taking a break now.

I'd estimate a few hundred in attendance (I asked for numbers // not the best at guesstimating)

Some folks in their dress uniforms. Others in suits or dresses. And mini American flags in their hands.

A few signs are along the rope line. I did see someone passing out these handmade signs. Unclear who it was.

The show order is below & more background on Joining Forces.

Reportable Background from the Office of the First Lady | April 24, 2024
Today, April 24th at 11:00 AM, as part of herJoining Forces [whitehouse.us19.list-manage.com] initiative to support military and veteran families, First Lady Jill Biden will deliver remarks and welcome wounded warriors, their caregivers, and families to the White House as part of the annual Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride. Following the remarks program, husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty will perform on the South Lawn.

Speaking Order:

• Sharona Young, Chief Petty Officer (ret.), U.S Navy
• The First Lady

Background on Joining Forces
Joining Forces is Dr. Biden's initiative to support military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors. Guided by the life experiences and the perspectives voiced during in-person and virtual listening sessions with military-connected families and stakeholders, the work and priorities of Joining Forces centers on the needs of this population in the areas of: Economic Opportunity; Military Child Education; and Health and Well-Being.

Since Day One of the Administration, Dr. Biden and the Joining Forces team have worked to eliminate barriers to employment and increase economic opportunity for military-connected families. In June 2023 President Biden, alongside Dr. Biden, signed the first-ever Presidential Executive Order [whitehouse.gov] to increase the economic opportunities for military and veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors. Since then, the Biden-Harris Administration has made the following progress:

• Increased Federal Agencies' Promotion of Military Spouse Hiring Authorities on USAJobs. As of April 2024, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reports that 84% of federal agencies are advertising jobs with the military spouse hiring authority, up from 70% in December 2023.
• Released the First-ever Government-Wide Military-Connected Strategic Plan. In February 2024, OPM published the Government-Wide Military-Connected Strategic Plan [chcoc.gov], the first whole-of-government hiring and retention strategy focused on leveraging the talent of military and veteran spouses, military caregivers, and survivors.
• Published the Guide to Recruiting and Hiring Military Spouses. In February 2024, Joining Forces released a guide [whitehouse.gov] to Recruiting and Hiring Military Spouses to: equip federal hiring managers and their staff with the knowledge, tools and resources to strengthen their recruitment of military spouses.
• Established Tax-Free Dependent Care Spending Accounts for Service members. In January 2024, DoD began implementing Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts [militaryonesource.mil] to allow servicemembers and their families to use their pretax dollars to help cover the cost of child care and adult dependent care.
• Expanded the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. In October 2023, DoD inducted 130 new businesses as partners in the Military Spouse Employment Partnership [defense.gov] (MSEP), a recruitment and employment initiative that directly connect companies looking to grow their workforce with and military spouses looking for work.
• Launched Entrepreneurship Training Course for Military Spouses. In July 2023, the Small Business Administration launched the Military Spouse Pathways to Business Program [sba.gov], which provides a tailored curriculum through online and in-person courses to assist military spouses in starting and maintaining their small businesses as they transition duty-stations or relocate due to their spouses' military service.

Less than a minute after POTUS wrapped his remarks, The event is getting underway at 11:10.

The began by introducing the soldiers participating in the ride. All wearing blue and black uniforms.

Here are names I caught/jotted down per otter (below). Asked for a full list of participants.

FLOTUS introduction followed along with Sharona Young.

FLOTUS wearing a purple suit with matching purples pumps.

The marine corp band then sang the National anthem. During which time those in uniform saluted. Others placed their hand on their heart. And a number of attendees recorded on their phones.

Chief Petty Officer (Ret) Sharona Yong began her (roughly 2:30) remarks sharing her story of being promoted and learning she had MS in the same day. And how soldier ride was one of the first events/times she felt like she belonged

"Movement is medicine for everybody, whether you're able bodied or adaptive sports or my medicine," she said. "Thanks to movement, I've kept MS (at bay?) I've done amazing things. I've traveled to amazing places And I've gotten to watch my little girl grow into a young woman."

FLOTUS then took the mic and shared it was Sharonas first time public speaking and thanked her for her courage and sharing her story for others to heal.

FLOTUS said soldiers represent the best of our country and deserve nothing less than unconditional respect and support

"warriors never ride alone. That's the promise of the Wounded Warrior Project. And as you can see today, it's true. Because this isn't a race. It's a ride. It's not about how fast you go or leaving people in your dust. It's about riding as one and there's a magic when you come together. In every look, lap, encouraging word or maybe a smile. You pull each other through the pedals the miles the days."

She spoke about being a military family--her father and Beau Biden

"The United States doesn't demand military service of our citizens. You step forward everyday heroes who sacrifice your own safety willingly and proudly so that others can be free," she said. "You represent the best of this country and you and your families deserve nothing less than our unconditional respect and support. And that's what Joining Forces my White House initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers and survivors is all about."

She talked about removing barriers and other actions potus has taken--preventing suicide and homelessness

"only one sacred obligation to support you and your families when we send you into harm's way and when you return as President and as a military dad. He never loses sight of that conviction. And that's why he's working tirelessly to make sure that you and your families have what you need to thrive today and every day. We ride with you, your president, your nation, and all of us here."

With that she blew the 'horn' and the riders took off.

Some of the names of riders I caught//again not official spelling etc. just what I could capture
Sergeant First Class Susan Galleon United States Army retired
Jeffrey Gibson, United States Air Force
Sergeant Gino last the United States Army National Guard
Senior Master Sergeant Roger Mortiz, United States Air Force
Senior Master Sergeant Jelani Nixon, United States Air Force
Staff Sergeant Gloria Orilla, United States Marine Corps
retired first class Samantha Perez, United States Army
Technical Sergeant Christopher Stark, the United States Space Force
Chief Petty Officer David Torres, United States Navy Retired
Senior Airman James... United States Air Force
Petty Officer First Class Whitaker, United States Navy

(Also confirmed the signs those in attendance were/are holding were made by WH staff. The signs include things like "you can do it kristopher Sarpy". "Jeffery Gipson" etc... see pic of one attached.)

After the rider went around the south loop twice
The husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty joined the First Lady and Sharona Young to watch. Before beginning their performance of "God Bless America".

Following that first performance they are being escorted out.

As we were gathering at 1140 to move back inside, FLOTUS was staying for additional performances. So we are staying.

She sits watching the performance from stage right.

During the end of War and Treaty performance. We saw Biden pop out from the back of the stage/set.

He sat where FLOTUS was. And a cheer erupted as folks spotted him.

He took the mic and said he was sorry for not being out earlier but had to sign the supplemental bill.

"We just finally thank God provided the need to protect Ukraine with the money they need."

He called the warriors the "spine of America"
"The idea that someone says winners and losers...anyway I don't want " (seemingly a dig at...

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. 1% of you, 1% of you and all those 1% that those of you who are wounded like our son who died are the ones who kept this country what it is," he said

Some attendees screamed as he wrapped "four more years". He then went in the south portico. Followed by dr. Biden.

We are now moving for next event.

At 11:55 we were loaded up into the motorcade and holding.

Below you will find WH guidance on the women's health event which is next up.

Reportable Background from the Office of the First Lady |April 24, 2024
Today at 12:30 PM, as part of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research, First Lady Jill Biden will deliver remarks at "The Power of Research: The Need for Gender Equity" symposium hosted by Maria Shriver, the Women's Alzheimer's Movement at Cleveland Clinic, and the Society for Women's Health Research in Washington, D.C. During her remarks, Dr. Biden will spotlight how the Biden-Harris administration is fundamentally changing how our nation approaches and funds women's health research.

Speaking Order:

• Katie Schubert, CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research
• Dr. Beri Ridgeway, Chief of Staff at Cleveland Clinic
• Maria Shiver, Founder of The Women's Alzheimer's Movement
• The First Lady

The White House Initiative on Women's Health Research
Launched by the President and the First Lady in November 2023, the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research [whitehouse.us19.list-manage.com] aims to fundamentally change how we approach and fund women's health research. This first-of-its-kind effort that is led by First Lady Jill Biden will galvanize the Federal government as well as the private and philanthropic sectors to spur innovation, unleash transformative investment to close research gaps, and improve women's health. As part of the Initiative, the First Lady has traveled across the country to highlight the Administration's actions on women's health researchand spotlight the importance of nationwide efforts to advance women's health research and innovation. Recent engagements include:

• April 2024 – Aurora, Colorado: The First Lady delivered remarks and joined a listening session with local leaders and researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to highlight the importance of efforts to accelerate progress on women's health.
• March 2024 -- Durham, North Carolina: The First Lady delivered remarks and joined a listening session with state and local leaders and researchers to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration's unprecedented actions on women's health research at one of the country's most prominent hubs for high-tech research and development – Research Triangle Park.
• March 2024 – Los Angeles, California: The First Lady joined a conversation with actress and women's health advocate, Halle Berry, to highlight the importance of women's health research during the "A Day of Unreasonable Conversation" event in Los Angeles, California.
• March 2024 – Arlington, Virginia: The First Lady delivered remarks at the Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Nonprofit conference, where she will spotlighted the President's Executive Order [whitehouse.gov] that directed the most comprehensive set of executive actions ever taken to expand and improve research on women's health.
• March 2024 – The White House: The First Lady and President Biden hosted a Women's History Month reception at the White House, during which the President signed anExecutive Order on Advancing Women's Health Research and Innovation. [whitehouse.gov] The President and the First Lady also announced more than twenty new actions and commitments by federal agencies [whitehouse.gov], including the launch of a new National Institutes of Health-wide effort that will direct key investments of $200 million in Fiscal Year 2025 to fund new, interdisciplinary women's health research.
• March 2024 – U.S. Capitol: The First Lady attended President Biden's State of the Union Address, during which he called on Congress to make a bold, transformative investment of $12 billion in new funding for women's health research.
• February 2024 – Cambridge, Massachusetts: The First Lady announced a $100 million commitment [arpa-h.gov] by the Biden-Harris Administration to accelerate women's health research. The historic investment, which is being administered as part of the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health's (ARPA-H) Sprint for Women's Health, was the first major deliverable from the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.
• January 2024 – Atlanta, Georgia: The First Lady participated in the 13th annual Women's Heart Healthy Luncheon, hosted by the Morehouse School of Medicine's "Women with Heart" initiative, where she spotlighted the importance of investing in research to improve women's heart health. In Atlanta, the First Lady also participated in a listening session with women's health researchers, advocates, and investors who are working to accelerate progress on women's health.
• January 2024 – Chicago, Illinois: The First Lady was joined by actress and women's health advocate Halle Berry during a visit to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where they participated in a roundtable discussion and a tour with researchers to highlight the importance of advancing research on women's health, including menopause.
• December 2023 – Los Angeles, California:The First Lady and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visited Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where they toured the research laboratories of the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center and Smidt Heart Institute and emphasized the importance of research on women's health, including heart health.

November 2023 – The White House: The First Lady joined President Biden in the Oval Office as he signed a Presidential Memorandum to formally establish the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.

#7/ FLOTUS pool -moving /arrival

At 12:09 we began the drive to the Willard.

Arriving at 1210 for the scoot across the street.

The ballroom set with roughly, by my count, 13 tables.

While we wait for the event/remarks to begin. Those in attendance dined on bread and had some veggie crudités. Along with what appears to be ice tea.

There are four monitors with "the power of research: the need for gender equity" in the room

Pic included

#8/ FLOTUS pool -remarks.

Dr. Biden took the stage to a standing ovation at 12:29.

Having changed from her purple pant suit to a blue skirt suit number.

She highlighted how Maria's mother would be proud of her work. And about their first meeting

"I had met you as Second Lady when you were first lady of California, but we really had never sat down and really talked about what was on our hearts," she said. "You laid out a problem that was so simple, but so often ignored. That women's health is understudied and research is underfunded and too many of our medications, our treatments and medical school textbooks are based on men... Leaving women seeking health care in a medical world largely designed for men."

But that while many recognize when it's talked about the issue. It's not enough to "just talk about it" and highlighted action the administration has taken

• signing an executive order
• ARPA H. // a sprint for women's health
• "That means that this year, the agency will invest millions to push forward innovations that could be life changing for women. All of you have been part of the work like this on Alzheimer's and other diseases. You've poured in resources. You've pushed science forward. You've changed how we talk about this disease."

"We will write new stories about women's health care, one where women leave doctor's offices with more answers than questions where no woman or girl has to hear again, it's all in your head or just stress. Where women don't just survive they lead long healthy and happy lives."

She wrapped at 1236

Before FLOTUS took the stage-- Maria Shriver spoke, beginning at 12:23

She wearing a pink suit jacket, white shirt and gold necklaces. She talked about an event from last year. And about how she didn't think anyone at the White House would talk to her about the initiative. And how she "remarkably" got a meeting for a Saturday.

Having tea with Dr. Biden and was one of the " most memorable inspiring productive and sunny beings I've ever had."

Never thought that meeting would result in the first ever initiative on women's health and research.

"I was hoping maybe for one or 2 billion," she joked after highlighting the presidents SOTU call for a $12 billion investment into women's health and the EO for women's health.

just open on Wednesday the first comprehensive Women's Health Care Research Center at the Cleveland Clinic.Otter// https://otter.ai/u/vFkkwJtGtsg_zgN5l5R8YnW5ZiQ [otter.ai]