doi:10.7916/48w8-c206Oral history interview with Jennifer J. Simon, 2021Simon, Jenniferoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesWomen--Political activity--United StatesSimon, JenniferObama, BarackObama, Michelle, 1964-Millennium Development GoalsGlobal Health Initiative (U.S.)White House Council on Women and Girls (U.S.)Girl Effect (Organization)Let Girls Learn (Program)United States. White House Presidential Personnel OfficeUnited States. Agency for International DevelopmentUnited States. Office of the First LadyJennifer Simon reflects on her time as executive office liaison to the White House Offices of Cabinet Affairs and Presidential Personnel, and as lead advisor for strategic planning and implementation of Michelle Obama's policy and international affairs agency from 2011 to 2015. Simon begins with a detailing of the women who served as her role models in the Biden administration, an account of her tenure as senior advisor to Ambassador Susan Rice from 2009 to 2010, and her admiration for Secretary Hillary Clinton. Simon recounts her experience as chief of staff to Raj Shah of the U.S. Agency for International Development and how that led to her being recruited by the Obama administration, working with the Millennium Development Goals and the Global Health Initiative. Simon goes into detail about the Council on Women and Girls, the International Violence Against Women Act, Reach Higher, Girl Effect and Let Girls Learn, going over the interaction between different agencies in government, the East and West Wing, and characterizing Barack and Michelle Obama. Simon highlights the importance of gender equality and Michelle Obama's role as a diplomat, giving as examples her trips to Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and China