PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two Pennsylvania natives are now leading the White House.
First lady Dr. Jill Biden, who was born in Hammonton, New Jersey, but grew up in Willow Grove, is a point of pride for Montgomery County. Her husband, the freshly sworn-in President Joe Biden, hails from Scranton.
Dr. Biden, who graduated from Upper Moreland High School in 1969, always stayed in touch with her Philly roots.
“She was a lot of fun,” recalled Liz Leonard, a former classmate and friend, “as you can imagine even now, we sat in on quite a few committees together like senior prom, Thanksgiving dance.”
Leonard and Dr. Biden — then, Jill Jacobs — went on to Brandywine College together, now known as Widener University.
The first lady continued her education, earning a bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Delaware, and two master’s from Villanova and West Chester universities, respectively.
Leonard last saw her friend in 2008 when she was campaigning for the Obama-Biden ticket in Willow Grove.
“We had time after the rally to speak to her … and hug and kiss, just like old girlfriends do,” she said.
Leonard remembers Dr. Biden as a fun-loving person who would do “anything for anyone.” She said the town and school district are just abuzz with delight as the former Upper Moreland cheerleader now takes the White House.
Philadelphians certainly felt the same way:
Leonard continued: “Every single member of my class who I have stayed pretty close to all these years — who I am just so proud to say that we are all still a very close class — and what is nice about that is that everyone is so happy and thrilled for Jill, Class of 1969. I mean, the whole township is. Everyone in Willow Grove is like, ‘That’s our girl!’ No matter, who you speak to — ‘That’s our girl!’
“We kind of claimed her as our own,” she added. “She’s ours.”
Aside from being the first Philly first lady, Dr. Biden will make history as the first first lady to hold a paid job outside the White House. The educator will continue to teach at Northern Virginia Community College, about 20 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.