Oral history interview with Jordan A. Brooks, 2021
Abstract
Jordan Brooks reflects on her contribution to the Obama administration's approach to issues relevant to women and girls, and discusses her service in a variety of positions on the Obama 2008 presidential campaign and in the Obama White House, including deputy executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls. Brooks focuses on the effort to integrate attention to gender issues throug hout the policy work and public activities of the administration. She outlines the structure and operations of the Council on Women and Girls and describes its position in the Obama White House and in relation to executive branch agencies and departments. Brooks provides details about major events and issues with which she was closely involved, including Title IX regulations and federal guidance on campus sexual assault; the White House Summit on Working Families; the White House United State of Women Summit; reproductive healthcare and women's health provisions in the Affordable Care Act; and childcare access and affordability. Brooks also speaks widely about the culture and activities of the East Wing, Michelle Obama's approach to the role of first lady, and the processes by which East Wing staff selected events and appearances. Also discussed are the Council on Women and Girls' intersectional work on gender and race, the council's collaborations with outside advocacy organizations, Brooks' work in the Office of the Vice President, and Brooks' experiences as a field organizer during the 2008 campaign
Presidents--United States; Sex discrimination against women--Law and legislation--United States; Sex discrimination in education--Law and legislation--United States; Rape in universities and colleges--United States; Reproductive health services--United States; Women's health services--United States; Child care--United States; Brooks, Jordan; Obama, Barack; White House Council on Women and Girls (U.S.); United States; White House Summit on Working Families ( Washington, D.C.) 2014; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
131 pages
Note (Biographical)
Jordan Brooks was a field organizer on President Obama's 2008 campaign and served on the 2009 presidential inaugural committee. In Vice President Biden's office, Brooks served as photo editor and as assistant to the White House advisor on violence aga inst women. In January 2015, Brooks became assistant director of the White House Council on Women and Girls; in October 2015 she became deputy executive director of the council, and served in that role until the end of the Obama presidency. She also served in the Biden administration as deputy assistant to the president and chief of staff to the second gentleman until 2023
Note
Interviewed by Mary Marshall Clark on November 19, 2020, and February 11 and March 24, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Jordan A. Brooks, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023