From the White House to the Obama Foundation: Valerie Jarrett’s Mission to Uplift Women and Drive Lasting Change

Who are three women that inspire you?

Early childhood education advocate and my mother, Barbara Bowman

Former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama

Equal pay advocate and former Planned Parenthood President, Cecile Richards

As we look to the future, what is one key change or innovation you believe is essential for advancing equality and empowerment in your field?

One key change that I believe is essential for advancing equality and empowerment in philanthropy is creating environments where all women are empowered to thrive and lead. We know women encounter a multitude of obstacles in the workplace that hold us back from reaching our full potential. That is why women, and especially women of color, remain underrepresented in leadership positions across all industries. If all of us, regardless of gender, are not intentional about making our communities safe and inclusive spaces, we will never be able to achieve a more equitable future for women. 

That’s why the work we’re doing at The Obama Foundation, particularly through the Girls Opportunity Alliance and our U.S. and Global Leaders programs, is so important. We are empowering adolescent girls and aspiring changemakers with the education, networks, and tools they need to reach their full potential and use their power to improve their communities. Young people are facing their challenges head on and we help equip them to solve them. We all just have to shove the door open and keep the ladder down.

Who is a woman who has inspired or mentored you, and what lessons from her influence have stayed with you?

My early work in Chicago city government eventually led me to cross paths with a public service-minded young lawyer, Michelle Robinson, and her fiancé, Barack Obama. 

Over the years we became much more than professional colleagues. We learned that we could trust each other unconditionally and that led to a steadfast friendship. Our journey together then began in the mayor’s office in Chicago and took on campaigns across Illinois, and our country. 

It led to a life-changing journey to my becoming the longest-serving senior advisor to any president of the United States and now to being the CEO of the Obama Foundation. Together, we mentored the next generation of women and helped prepare them to lead both here in the United States and around the world. 

And together, we created spaces where women could compete with confidence on an even playing field and lead by example. Michelle’s deep commitment to empowering girls and women to discover the wisdom created by each of their authentic stories continues to inspire me. Her example reminds us that real leadership is achieved when we learn to lift each other up as we climb.

Celebrating 90 Years of Progress: In honor of Gloria Steinem’s 90 years of advocacy, what do you believe is her most enduring contribution to women’s empowerment, and how has it inspired your own journey?

I am proud to celebrate Gloria’s legacy as one of the most indefatigable advocates for women’s rights in my lifetime. Gloria is a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy, not from a pedestal, but by meeting women where they are and empowering them to believe that by acting together, we could change the world. She was unshackled by the reality of what is, but rather passionately dedicated to creating what should be. 

I have long admired Gloria’s decades-long work in cracking the glass ceiling and consider her a personal hero of mine. As a young woman working in law in Chicago, I looked to Gloria as an example of strength and courage in pursuing one’s career aspirations, which helped motivate my own shift into local—and eventually national—politics. 

During my time as senior advisor to President Obama in 2013, Gloria was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. President Obama recognized the immense impact Gloria has had on fearlessly advancing civil rights for women. And Gloria has remained an outspoken advocate for gender equality and social justice.