During a White House listening session on Monday, Jill Biden brought together approximately 60 female faith leaders, community leaders, and other influential figures. Among them was the South Carolina pastor’s wife whom she credits with restoring her faith in God following the passing of the Bidens’ son Beau in 2015.
The first lady expressed her gratitude to Robin Jackson for her assistance in assembling the group, stating, “I wanted to learn what’s on your minds and what’s on your hearts.”
Her husband is the pastor of Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia, where the women connected during Joe Biden’s 2019 visit while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. South Carolina played a pivotal role in setting Joe Biden on the path to becoming the nominee in 2020, a feat he aims to repeat next year as a candidate for reelection.
Jill Biden openly discussed her faith journey during a visit to the church in 2021. But it was in the Blue Room of the White House where she publicly acknowledged Jackson’s role in restoring her faith after the women enjoyed a Thanksgiving tea.
“We all go through darkness at some point in our lives. Perhaps some of you are even going through it right now,” Jill Biden said. “And I hope that you have someone to help you find that light that can never be extinguished.” She added that, “for Joe and me, your faith helped carry us forward through our darkest days and that faith has stayed with us, nourished us and strengthened us, so I want to thank you, for gratitude, too, is an act of faith.”
