First Lady Pool Reports of September 23, 2024

FLOTUS pool report #1 - meeting with Mrs. Zelenska at UN

Greetings from UN Plaza.

Dr. Biden has three events here today - 2 pm, 2:30 pm and 3 pm - and then speaks to the Clinton Global Initiative at 5 pm.

Flagging that Dr. Biden's 3 pm event at the UN includes First Lady of the Ukraine Mrs. Zelenska. The duo, along with a few other First Ladies, will speak at an event on securing the future for children.

All the UN events with FLOTUS are live-streamed but pooler will send highlights/color: UN Web TV at https://webtv.un.org/en.

Here is background on the three UN events from the East Wing and please reach out with any questions throughout the day.

REPORTABLE BACKGROUND FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY: September 23, 2024

At 2:00 PM ET, First Lady Jill Biden will deliver remarks at the United Nations LGBTI Core Group's "Leaving No One Behind: An Inclusive Future for All" event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. This event will be livestreamed on UN Web TV at https://webtv.un.org/en.

The First Lady will be introduced by Jessica Stern, U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons.

Background on "Leaving No One Behind: An Inclusive Future for All"
"Leaving No One Behind: An Inclusive Future for All" is this year's premier gathering of the UN LGBTI Core Group, at which senior government officials and civil society representatives recommit to protecting LGBTI persons around the world, spotlight challenges, and highlight achievements.

At 2:30 PM ET, the First Lady will deliver remarks at an event in New York City, co-led by USAID and UNICEF to launch a new partnership dedicated to tackling lead exposure in low- and middle-income countries. This event will be livestreamed atwww.USAID.gov/UNGA2024.

The First Lady will be introduced by USAID Administrator Samantha Power.

Background on the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future
USAID Administrator Samantha Power and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell will launch the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future – bringing together representatives from partner countries and leaders from the public and private sectors to mobilize action to create a lead-free future for every child. Additional details on the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future are available here.

At 3:00 PM ET, the First Lady will attend the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform session "Securing the Future for Children: Addressing New Challenges for Soft Power" in New York City, co-hosted by the First Ladies of Ukraine and Estonia, along with Belize, Finland, Lithuania, Malawi, Guatemala, Suriname, and UNICEF. This event will be livestreamed on UN Web TV at https://webtv.un.org/en.

The First Lady will be introduced by Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations.

Background on "Securing the Future for Children: Addressing New Challenges for Soft Power"
On the margins of the Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform will hold a high-level side event to address one of the most pressing global issues: securing a safer and brighter future for children. The event will bring together leaders to tackle new challenges facing children's safety and well-being. The discussions will align with the broader goals of the Summit of the Future's Pact of the Future.

Background on Dr. Biden and First Lady of Ukraine Mrs. Zelenska

The First Lady and Mrs. Zelenska first met during a surprise visit on Mother's Day of May 2022. Dr. Biden traveled to western Ukraine to visit Mrs. Zelenska and Ukrainian mothers and children who fled their homes due to Russia's aggression. This visit was part of Dr. Biden's trip to Eastern Europe to visit Ukrainian refugees and local aid workers in Slovakia and Romania.

Dr Biden has met with and hosted Mrs. Zelenska for several occasions since, including:

• In July 2024, as part of the 2024 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Washington, D.C., the First Lady hosted two spousal program events, with Mrs. Zelenska in attendance at both.
• In September 2023, the First Lady and President Biden hosted President Zelenskyy and Mrs. Zelenska at the White House.
• In September 2023, the First Lady hosted Mrs. Zelenska at the UNGA Spousal Program at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
• In September 2023, the First Lady and President Biden hosted the 2023 UNGA Leaders Reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, with President Zelenskyy and Mrs. Zelenska in attendance.
• In July 2022, Dr. Biden hosted Mrs. Zelenska at the White House for a bilateral meeting with representatives from USAID, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and State Department to discuss how the United States can continue to provide support and humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people.

FLOTUS pool report #2 - LGTBQI event

FLOTUS entered a conference room at UN Plaza at 1:51 pm. She received a standing ovation.

Wearing a hot pink pants suit, she spoke to a meeting of the United Nations LGBTI Core Group.

She spoke at a lectern, to the side of the head panel, addressing about a 100 people.

"By gathering here today, we are saying loud and clear, you are enough, and this community is never alone. Joe and I are with you," she told them.

"It doesn't matter who you are, where you were born, or who your parents are, being human is enough to deserve safety, to deserve freedom, to deserve love, to deserve a future. That should be true for all LGTBQI people."

"In more than 60 countries around the world, LGBTQI people are criminalized for who they are, but we're not going to stand for hate, discrimination and violence in our country. We won't stand for it anywhere in the world, because, yes, being human is enough. It's what we share across time and place, across borders and oceans. At our core, we are a just people filled with love and hope, reaching toward a better future, and as poets and civil rights believers have said over the centuries, until all of us are free, no one is."

"In just the last few years, we have seen more countries legalize same sex relationships and recognize marriage equality. These are big victories, one that blooms across history, but our triumphs live in the small moments too, moments that would be just unimaginable just a few decades ago, walking down the street without fear, coworkers who use
your chosen name and pronouns, kids with two moms or two dads at the playground."

"Change never happens on its own. It takes people just like the ones in this room speaking with one voice and declaring what is right: to say change is coming. Let us lead the way. That's the power of this community, to hold each other up in all of our humanity, to heal one another, to share our inner strength, to create lasting change, to leave no one behind."

She was introduced by Jessica Stern, U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons.

FLOTUS is running early. She began her remarks, scheduled for 2 pm, at 1:52 pm and wrapped shortly before 2 pm. At 2:05 pm we are in place for her next event.

FLOTUS pool report #3 - USAID and UNICEF event

FLOTUS next addressed a USAID and UNICEF panel on tackling lead exposure in low- and middle-income countries.

FLOTUS came in at 2:42 pm. She shook hands with the president of the Dominic Republic, the president of Malawi, and the prime minister of Nepal - all of whom addressed the crowd ahead of her.

She started her remarks by commenting how quiet the room was and told of them to think of her as their English teacher.

She talked about a previous visit to Malawi, where she visited a classroom and saw the creative ways teachers used to engage students. (Note: she traveled to Malawi in 2016 as Second Lady).

She described how parents give children toys and games to learn and how many of them have lead in them.

She noted children don't grow to their full potential because "lead poisoning is so pervasive."

FLOTUS wrapped her remarks at 2:50 pm.

Dr. Biden was introduced by USAID Administrator Samantha Power, who called her "someone who has dedicated her entire career to helping children and young people achieve the futures that they deserve."

The two hugged.

The event was standing room only. About 100 people were seated with about another 30 crammed in the back of the room to listen. It's another conference room with flags of participating countries and photos of cute children from around the world.

FLOTUS pool report #4 - event with Mrs. Zelenska

FLOTUS next attended an event on the future of children. She was joined by the First Ladies of Ukraine and Estonia, along with Belize, Finland, Lithuania, Malawi, Guatemala, Suriname, and UNICEF.

The other First Ladies were seated at a table at the head of the room when Dr. Biden arrived.

FLOTUS went into the conference room at 3:18 pm - in time to hear the remarks from Ukrainian First Lady Zelenska. Dr. Biden slipped into the room and sat on the sidelines to listen to Zelenska. Zelenska spoke in English.

"Since the beginning of the brutal Russian invasion, the annual event has become a platform for preparation and mutual assistance," Zelenska said.

She noted: "The future of our children is something we all care about, regardless of the country."

Zelenska then discussed the "impact of military conflicts on children, their abductions, injuries and deaths that resulted from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But this oppression effects not only Ukraine, not only Ukrainian children, but this aggression affects every fourth child in the 15 countries ... directly affected by the war."

She added these "unfinished crimes" result in a "world where children don't feel fully protected."

Then a video played discussing the dangers children face around the world and parents' worries about their well-being.

FLOTUS spoke after the video.

She started her remakes addressing Mrs. Zelenska: "When I found out that you were gathering this group of leaders, including the incredible first ladies here, I knew I had to show my support."

She discussed her 2022 visit to Ukraine.

"You and I met two years ago in Ukraine ... and we walked through a public school that had been converted into a shelter, a place of learning, forced to become a refuge."

More FLOTUS: "The past several years have been a painful reminder that when children are in danger anywhere in the world, they are more vulnerable everywhere."

She told Mrs. Zelenska: "Olena - amid such suffering at home, it would have really just been enough for you to just speak out for the people of Ukraine, but you chose to look beyond your borders, calling on world leaders to see our shared challenges with new clarity and fullness. We're here to offer our continued love and continuing support. We stand with Ukraine today and for all the future."

Her speech lasted about 10 minutes.

Then FLOTUS and Mrs. Zelenska had a private greeting on the sidelines after Dr. Biden's remarks, per the East Wing. Pool was not present.

Also please note FLOTUS' outfit is actually a skirt and jacket. Both are hot pink.

FLOTUS pool report #5 - Clinton Global Initiative announcement information and livestream

Dr. Biden will take the stage soon with Chelsea Clinton and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice at the Clinton Global Initiative to talk about the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.

A live stream is available: https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative-september-2024-meeting/.

From the East Wing:

Today, the First Lady will be at the Clinton Global Initiative to announce the Department of Defense's new commitment to spend $500 million on vital women's health research. With this new investment, the Department will fund research on conditions that affect women uniquely, disproportionately, or differently—such as ovarian cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and musculoskeletal injuries. This commitment is consistent with President Biden's Executive Order on Advancing Women's Health Research and Innovation as well as the Department of Defense's broader efforts to support the health of the women it serves and the medical readiness of the force. Additional details on this announcement are in the attached factsheet.

The First Lady, joined by Chelsea Clinton and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, will also discuss the rapid progress being made by the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research, which was launched less than a year ago with the goal of fundamentally changing how we fund and approach women's health research. Monday's event follows the First Lady joining the top of the President's Cabinet meeting last week, where she expressed gratitude to the agencies for their continued progress and momentum towards that goal. This was the first time the First Lady joined a Cabinet meeting and is a testament to how personally important this effort to advance women's health research is for both the President and the First Lady.

Since launching the initiative last November, the First Lady has visited research centers and universities, and spoken with doctors and scientists across the country to understand the research questions we need to ask – and the answers they could find if we invest in women's health.

Statement attributable to FLOTUS Press Secretary Vanessa Valdivia:

"Since launching the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research last November, the First Lady has put the spotlight on the urgent need to close the gap in how we fund and approach women's health research. The Biden-Harris Administration has quickly mobilized to make progress in less than year, and in the months ahead the First Lady will continue to push the work of this initiative forward, and build on the incredible momentum and enthusiasm we've seen across the public and private sectors."

Background on Clinton Global Initiative Session

On Monday, September 23rd, the First Lady will join Chelsea Clinton and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice to discuss women's health research as part of the mainstage session, titled "Look Around," where leaders from across the social impact spectrum will highlight the ways in which they break down barriers between peer institutions, cultivate partnerships and community, and align values and programs to create new, specific, and measurable ways to support one another.

Chelsea Clinton: As vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, Chelsea Clinton works alongside the Foundation's leadership and partners to improve lives and inspire emerging leaders across the United States and around the world. This includes the Foundation's early child initiative Too Small to Fail, which supports families with the resources they need to promote early brain and language development; and the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U), a global program that empowers student leaders to turn their ideas into action. A longtime public health advocate, Chelsea also serves as vice chair of the Clinton Health Access Initiative and uses her platform to increase awareness around issues such as vaccine hesitancy, childhood obesity, and health equity.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice: The sixth president of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the first woman to lead the freestanding medical institution, Dr. Montgomery Rice is a renowned infertility specialist and researcher. She most recently served as dean and executive vice president of MSM, where she has served since 2011. Prior to joining MSM, Dr. Montgomery Rice held faculty positions and leadership roles at various health centers, including academic health centers. Most notably, she was the founding director of the Center for Women's Health Research at Meharry Medical College—an HBCU in Nashville, Tennessee—one of the nation's first research centers devoted to studying diseases that disproportionately impact women of color.

Dr. Montgomery Rice joined the President and First Lady for the Women's Health Research Executive Order signing at the White House in March and participated in two White House Initiative on Women's Health Research events with Dr. Biden in Atlanta, GA in February.

About the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research

The White House Initiative on Women's Health Research is ensuring that research on women's health is a priority and galvanizing new research on a wide range of topics. In his State of the Union address, President Biden called on Congress to make a bold, transformative investment of $12 billion in new funding for women's health research. The President also signed an Executive Order on Advancing Women's Health Research and Innovation that directed the most comprehensive set of executive actions ever taken to expand and improve research on women's health.

The Initiative—led by the Office of the First Lady and the White House Gender Policy Council and Chaired by Dr. Carolyn M. Mazure —consists of executive departments and agencies across the federal government, such as the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Defense, and Veterans Affairs, and White House offices, such as the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Members of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research have already taken action to advance women's health research, including:

• The President's Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) committed $100 million for transformative research and development in women's health for its first-ever Sprint for Women's Health. ARPA-H received an unprecedented response to its call for proposals, receiving submissions from a mix of scientific visionaries from across the globe and sectors.
• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a new agency-wide effort to invest $200 million for new, interdisciplinary women's health research—a first step towards the transformative central Fund on Women's Health that the President called on Congress to invest in. This cross-cutting effort will allow NIH to fund ambitious, multi-faceted research projects such as research on the impact of perimenopause and menopause on heart health, brain health and bone health.
• The Department of Health and Human Services announced $12.5 million in new funding to address the unique mental health and substance use treatment needs of women. The new Women's Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center will help fill vital gaps in health care providers' knowledge and ability to treat the mental health and substance use conditions of women across the nation.
• The NIH launched a new challenge to accelerate the development of innovative technologies for the diagnosis of endometriosis, a debilitating condition that affects about 1 in 10 women and often takes years to be diagnosed. NIH will award $3 million in prizes to innovators who develop new technologies that make it easier and quicker to diagnose endometriosis.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) issued its first-ever call for novel and transformative science and engineering research focused entirely on women's health. NSF has also convened experts in the fields of engineering, biomedical research, and advanced computing to identify ways to improve women's health research—including how artificial intelligence and machine learning can revolutionize our understanding of menopause.
• DoD and the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new Joint Collaborative to Improve Women's Health Research for Servicemembers and Veterans to further promote joint efforts to advance women's health research and improve evidence-based care for women Servicemembers and veterans.

FLOTUS pool report #6 - FLOTUS remarks/POTUS surprise

Dr. Biden was participating in a conversation on women's health with Chelsea Clinton and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president of Morehouse School of Medicine, at the Clinton Global Initiative. The trio came on stage at 5:11 pm.

As the roundtable wrapped at 5:39 pm, Hail to the Chief played, Hillary Clinton walked out, followed by Bill Clinton escorting President Joe Biden. The room burst into a standing ovation. POTUS hugged FLOTUS and then gave Chelsea Clinton a big hug. FLOTUS hugged Bill Clinton.

Bill Clinton said: "Ladies and gentlemen, we thought the two doctors deserved a surprise."

He then paid tribute to President Biden and awarded him the 2024 Clinton Global Citizen Award.

POTUS, in his remarks, paid tribute to FLOTUS: "As a point of personal pride, I think Jill's work on women's health research, and this is Jill's, and this was Jill's movement -
that was going to go down as one of our significant programs in our administration."

The Bidens and the Clintons posed for a group photo with POTUS and his award.

Before the surprise guests, FLOTUS, Chelsea Clinton and Dr. Rice had about a 20-minute discussion on women's health.

Jill Biden noted health is a topic women talk about among themselves: "When my friends get together, my sisters and I, you know, we sit there and we talk about health, and we provide one another with answers."

Chelsea Clinton asked her about why she decided to start the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research.

FLOTUS: "Because research has been based mainly on men, and, you know, men's bodies and what men need. And so I don't think we realize that really the issue of heart health, how many women you know, die of heart health, or that Alzheimer's affects women more than it does men. Same with MS, same with autoimmune diseases. So I took this to Joe, and I said, Joe, we have to do something about this. You know, we just don't have the research. We just need the answers. So Joe said, okay."

She added: "The reason I'm so glad that you invited me here today is this big announcement. The Department of Defense has now committed half a billion dollars to women's health, to women in the service, which then transcends to all women."

And that's all from your FLOTUS pool. Please reach out with any questions.