THE KEYSTONE STATE WAS RECOGNIZED. TOM, JERRY, DOCTOR JILL BIDEN MAY BE SOMEBODY WHO LIVES IN SUBURBAN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, BUT SHE’S ORIGINALLY FROM PENNSYLVANIA. AND SHE TALKED ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE ALONGSIDE THE CURRENT AND FORMER FIRST LADY OF PENNSYLVANIA, ABOUT HOW THEY TRIED TO INFLUENCE THE STATE AND BETTER IT, AS WELL AS HOW THEY HOPE MANY WOMEN WILL BE ABLE TO INSPIRE CHANGE IN THE YEARS TO COME. FORMER FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN TOOK THE STAGE AT THE WHITAKER CENTER WEDNESDAY, JOINING CURRENT PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY LAURA SHAPIRO AND FORMER PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY MICHELLE RIDGE AND FRANCES WOLF. WE HAVE TO LIFT. WE HAVE TO LIFT WOMEN UP. AND THAT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY. THE GROUP REFLECTED ON THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND EDUCATION COURSES THEY HAVE WORKED ON OVER THE YEARS AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT PENNSYLVANIA OVER THE LAST 250 YEARS. THEY ENCOURAGED WOMEN TO HELP. RIGHT. PENNSYLVANIA’S NEXT CHAPTER BY GETTING INVOLVED IN CAUSES IMPORTANT TO THEM AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SO I HAVE SEEN SO MUCH MORE ENGAGEMENT BY WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP. AND AND ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR MEN TO SEE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP. THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN ALL DIFFERENT WAYS, HELPING. AND THEY’RE MAKING THE DIFFERENCE. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO RAISE YOUR VOICE OR STAND UP OR SPEAK OUT, WHETHER IT’S PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR FAMILY. THERE ARE A MILLION DIFFERENT WAYS YOU NEED AN EDUCATION OR YOU NEED TRAINING, OR YOU NEED SOMETHING TO WHERE YOU CAN BE, HAVE YOUR OWN MONEY, STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET AND BUT ALSO KNOW YOURSELF AND STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF. THE GROUP ALSO TOOK THE STAGE WITH 100 YEAR OLD MAE KRIER, PENNSYLVANIA’S OWN ROSIE THE RIVETER, WHO HELPED CONSTRUCT MANY OF THE PLANES THAT WERE USED IN WORLD WAR TWO BY THE U.S. IN SUPPO
Jill Biden joins current, former Pennsylvania first ladies to highlight impact of women
Updated: 8:14 PM EDT Mar 25, 2026
Former U.S. First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday, along with current and former first ladies of Pennsylvania, gathered in Harrisburg to celebrate Women’s History Month and highlight the contributions of women in the state. The event took place at the Whitaker Center, where Biden was joined by current Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro and former Pennsylvania First Ladies Michele Ridge and Frances Wolf.”I think we have to lift women up,” Biden said, reflecting on how, during her time as First Lady, she also sought to empower minority women, particularly in her staff.Group reflects on work in health, safety and educationThe group reflected on their work in health, safety, and education causes over the years and encouraged women to engage in causes important to them and their communities. They emphasized the significant contributions of women throughout Pennsylvania’s history and the importance of continuing to inspire change.”I have seen so much more engagement by women in leadership and, and on the flip side of that, I have to tell you that it’s also important for men to see women in leadership,” Michele Ridge said.”There are people all across the state who are involved in their communities, helping some people, making a difference,” Frances Wolf said.”Raise your voice and stand up and speak out — whether it’s publicly or privately, in your community, in your family. There are a million different ways,” Shapiro said.Biden also highlighted the importance of education and self-reliance.”You need an education or you need training or you need something to where you can be, have your own money, stand on your own two feet, but also know yourself and stay true to yourself,” she said.
Former U.S. First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday, along with current and former first ladies of Pennsylvania, gathered in Harrisburg to celebrate Women’s History Month and highlight the contributions of women in the state.
The event took place at the Whitaker Center, where Biden was joined by current Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro and former Pennsylvania First Ladies Michele Ridge and Frances Wolf.
“I think we have to lift women up,” Biden said, reflecting on how, during her time as First Lady, she also sought to empower minority women, particularly in her staff.
Group reflects on work in health, safety and education
The group reflected on their work in health, safety, and education causes over the years and encouraged women to engage in causes important to them and their communities. They emphasized the significant contributions of women throughout Pennsylvania’s history and the importance of continuing to inspire change.
“I have seen so much more engagement by women in leadership and, and on the flip side of that, I have to tell you that it’s also important for men to see women in leadership,” Michele Ridge said.
“There are people all across the state who are involved in their communities, helping some people, making a difference,” Frances Wolf said.
“Raise your voice and stand up and speak out — whether it’s publicly or privately, in your community, in your family. There are a million different ways,” Shapiro said.
Biden also highlighted the importance of education and self-reliance.
“You need an education or you need training or you need something to where you can be, have your own money, stand on your own two feet, but also know yourself and stay true to yourself,” she said.