Oral history interview with Joanna S. Rosholm, 2021
Abstract
Joanna Rosholm discusses her service in a variety of communications roles in the Obama administration, including regional communications director, and, from 2014 to 2017, press secretary to First Lady Michelle Obama. Rosholm outlines the structure and operations of the East Wing, and speaks widely about Michelle Obama's approach to the role of first lady. She describes the East Wing's approach to t he first lady's public and media appearances, and provides details about notable events and initiatives with which she was closely involved, including Let's Move! and Michelle Obama's advocacy for improved childhood nutrition and health; the first lady's collaborations with comedians, athletes, and celebrities; and the foreign travel associated with the Let Girls Learn education initiative. Also discussed are the public scrutiny of Michelle Obama's appearance, the East Wing's engagement with new and social media, the East Wing's role in the coordination of interagency policy initiatives, and the culture and gender dynamics of the Obama White House
Presidents--United States; Presidents' spouses--United States; Children--Nutrition--United States; Rosholm, Joanna; Obama, Barack; Obama, Michelle, 1964-; Let's Move! (Campaign : U.S.); Let Girls Learn (Program); United States. Office of the First Lady
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2021
Physical Description
109 pages
Note (Biographical)
Joanna Rosholm is an American communications professional, political advisor, and public servant. From 2009 to 2010 she served as assistant press secretary for the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and from 2010 to 2017 she served in a variety of p ositions in the Obama administration, including deputy associate regional communications director, regional communications director, and, from 2014 to 2017, as press secretary to First Lady Michelle Obama. At the time of the interview, Rosholm was founder and partner at Original Strategies, a communications strategy firm
Note
Interviewed by Mary Marshall Clark on September 20 and November 16, 2021. This interview is part of the Columbia University: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Joanna S. Rosholm, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023