Karine Jean-Pierre Gives Her First White House Press Briefing; Becomes First Gay Woman, Second Black Woman To Lead A Briefing

The Biden administration is making good on its promise of showing us diversity. History was made on Wednesday when principal deputy press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre led the briefing.

Jean-Pierre, 43, is the second Black woman and first openly gay woman to do so.

It has been thirty years since the first Black woman–Judy Smith in 1991– stood behind the podium to speak on behalf of the president.

“It’s a real honor to be standing here today … I appreciate the historic nature,” said Jean-Pierre. “I believe that being behind this podium, being in this room, being in this building, is not about one person,” she added.

“It’s about what we do on behalf of the American people,” she continued. “Clearly, the resident believes representation matters and I appreciate him giving me this opportunity, and it’s another reason why I think we are all so proud that this is the most diverse administration in history,” she told reporters.

Jean-Pierre is also the first openly gay woman to do stand behind the podium. In 2015, Eric Schultz — who served as a deputy White House press secretary under President Barack Obama — became the first openly gay person to hold an on-camera White House news briefing.

Jean-Pierre was born in Haiti and previously worked as a campaign organizer. She was also the national spokeswoman for MoveOn.org before joining the Biden administration.

We will likely see more press briefings conducted by Jean-Pierre since Press Secretary Jen Psaki recently announced she only plans to stay in the role for “about a year.”

“Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse. My partner in truth–@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance, and her wonderful spirit, ” Psaki posted in a tweet on Jean-Pierre’s Wednesday briefing.

Today is a big day in the press office and @WhiteHouse. My partner in truth–@KJP46 is doing her first full briefing from the podium today making history in her own right. But doing her real justice means also recognizing her talent, her brilliance and her wonderful spirit.

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) May 26, 2021