Valerie Biden Owens - Revision history

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	'''Valerie Biden Owens''' (born November 5, 1945) is an American [[Political consulting\|political strategist]], [[campaign manager]] and former [[educator]]. She is the younger sister of [[Joe Biden]], the current [[President of the United States]]. U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] nominated her as advisor to the [[United Nations]] 71st General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.valeriebidenowens.com/\|title=HOME\|website=Valerie Biden Owens}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://members.tortoisemedia.com/2020/09/16/valerie-biden-owens-profile/content.html\|title=First Sister\|date=September 16, 2020\|website=members.tortoisemedia.com}}</ref>		'''Valerie Biden Owens''' (born November 5, 1945) is an American [[Political consulting\|political strategist]], [[campaign manager]] and former [[educator]]. She is the younger sister of [[Joe Biden]], the current [[President of the United States]]. U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] nominated her as advisor to the [[United Nations]] 71st General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.valeriebidenowens.com/\|title=HOME\|website=Valerie Biden Owens}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://members.tortoisemedia.com/2020/09/16/valerie-biden-owens-profile/content.html\|title=First Sister\|date=September 16, 2020\|website=members.tortoisemedia.com}}</ref>

	Owens has played a substantial role in all of her brother's political campaigns. She was the campaign manager during all of his Senate elections and for his [[Joe Biden 1988 presidential campaign\|1988]] and [[Joe Biden 2008 presidential campaign\|2008]] presidential campaigns, and was a senior advisor to his successful [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign\|2020 presidential campaign]].<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-new-campaign-manager-jen-omalley-dillon-focus-shifts-to-general-election/CBS News Biden Campaign] accessed 11/11/2020</ref><ref>[https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-the-joe-biden-whisperer-his-sister-valerie-biden-owens Meet Joe Biden Sister, ''Vogue Magazine''] accessed 11/12/2020</ref>In June 2021, it was announced Owens has signed on to publish her autobiography, which will be released in 2022. <ref>[https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-valerie-biden-owens-entertainment-government-and-politics-arts-and-entertainment-46752afe6875e0cd0285d16676238c16 accessed 7/17/2021]</ref>		Owens has played a substantial role in all of her brother's political campaigns. She was the campaign manager during all of his Senate elections and for his [[Joe Biden 1988 presidential campaign\|1988]] and [[Joe Biden 2008 presidential campaign\|2008]] presidential campaigns, and was a senior advisor to his successful [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign\|2020 presidential campaign]].<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-new-campaign-manager-jen-omalley-dillon-focus-shifts-to-general-election/CBS News Biden Campaign] accessed 11/11/2020</ref><ref>[https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-the-joe-biden-whisperer-his-sister-valerie-biden-owens Meet Joe Biden Sister, ''Vogue Magazine''] accessed 11/12/2020</ref> In June 2021, it was announced Owens has signed on to publish her autobiography, which will be released in 2022.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-valerie-biden-owens-entertainment-government-and-politics-arts-and-entertainment-46752afe6875e0cd0285d16676238c16 accessed 7/17/2021]</ref>
	==Early life and education==		==Early life and education==
	She was born the daughter of Catherine Eugenia "Jean" ([[née]] Finnegan; 1917–2010) and Joseph Robinette Biden (1915–2002).<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Sun\|first=Baltimore\|title=Joseph Biden Sr., 86, the father of...\|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html\|website=baltimoresun.com\|access-date=2020-11-08\|archive-date=2019-12-30\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230113231/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her brothers are [[Joe Biden\|Joe]], Francis "Frank" Biden, and James "Jim" Biden. Her family is of [[Irish Catholics\|Irish Catholic]] background. Biden's father was initially wealthy however suffered several financial setbacks; for several years the family lived with Biden's maternal grandparents in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]]. Joe Biden Sr. later became a successful used car salesman, maintaining the family a middle-class lifestyle.<ref>{{Cite interview\|title=The Frontline Interview: Valerie Biden Owens\|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interview/valerie-biden-owens/\|website=FRONTLINE}}</ref>		She was born the daughter of Catherine Eugenia "Jean" ([[née]] Finnegan; 1917–2010) and Joseph Robinette Biden (1915–2002).<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Sun\|first=Baltimore\|title=Joseph Biden Sr., 86, the father of...\|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html\|website=baltimoresun.com\|access-date=2020-11-08\|archive-date=2019-12-30\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230113231/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her brothers are [[Joe Biden\|Joe]], Francis "Frank" Biden, and James "Jim" Biden. Her family is of [[Irish Catholics\|Irish Catholic]] background. Biden's father was initially wealthy however suffered several financial setbacks; for several years the family lived with Biden's maternal grandparents in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]]. Joe Biden Sr. later became a successful used car salesman, maintaining the family a middle-class lifestyle.<ref>{{Cite interview\|title=The Frontline Interview: Valerie Biden Owens\|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interview/valerie-biden-owens/\|website=FRONTLINE}}</ref>

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Created page with "{{short description|American political strategist, campaign manager (born 1945)}} {{Infobox person | name = Valerie Biden Owens | image = Valerie Biden Owens (493..."

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{{short description|American political strategist, campaign manager (born 1945)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Valerie Biden Owens
| image = Valerie Biden Owens (49385836747) (cropped face).jpg
| image_size = 225px
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1945|11|5}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Bruce Saunders|||end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|John T. Owens|1975}}
| children = 3
| relatives = [[Biden family]]
| education = [[University of Delaware]]
| occupation = Political strategist, campaign manager, educator
| website =
}}

'''Valerie Biden Owens''' (born November 5, 1945) is an American [[Political consulting|political strategist]], [[campaign manager]] and former [[educator]]. She is the younger sister of [[Joe Biden]], the current [[President of the United States]]. U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] nominated her as advisor to the [[United Nations]] 71st General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.valeriebidenowens.com/|title=HOME|website=Valerie Biden Owens}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://members.tortoisemedia.com/2020/09/16/valerie-biden-owens-profile/content.html|title=First Sister|date=September 16, 2020|website=members.tortoisemedia.com}}</ref>

Owens has played a substantial role in all of her brother's political campaigns. She was the campaign manager during all of his Senate elections and for his [[Joe Biden 1988 presidential campaign|1988]] and [[Joe Biden 2008 presidential campaign|2008]] presidential campaigns, and was a senior advisor to his successful [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign|2020 presidential campaign]].<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-new-campaign-manager-jen-omalley-dillon-focus-shifts-to-general-election/CBS News Biden Campaign] accessed 11/11/2020</ref><ref>[https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-the-joe-biden-whisperer-his-sister-valerie-biden-owens Meet Joe Biden Sister, ''Vogue Magazine''] accessed 11/12/2020</ref>In June 2021, it was announced Owens has signed on to publish her autobiography, which will be released in 2022. <ref>[https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-valerie-biden-owens-entertainment-government-and-politics-arts-and-entertainment-46752afe6875e0cd0285d16676238c16 accessed 7/17/2021]</ref>
==Early life and education==
She was born the daughter of Catherine Eugenia "Jean" ([[née]] Finnegan; 1917–2010) and Joseph Robinette Biden (1915–2002).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sun|first=Baltimore|title=Joseph Biden Sr., 86, the father of...|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html|website=baltimoresun.com|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2019-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230113231/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-09-03-0209030023-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her brothers are [[Joe Biden|Joe]], Francis "Frank" Biden, and James "Jim" Biden. Her family is of [[Irish Catholics|Irish Catholic]] background. Biden's father was initially wealthy however suffered several financial setbacks; for several years the family lived with Biden's maternal grandparents in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]]. Joe Biden Sr. later became a successful used car salesman, maintaining the family a middle-class lifestyle.<ref>{{Cite interview|title=The Frontline Interview: Valerie Biden Owens|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interview/valerie-biden-owens/|website=FRONTLINE}}</ref>

Owens graduated from [[Ursuline Academy (Delaware)|Ursuline Academy]] in [[Wilmington, Delaware]] in 1963, and went on to study at the [[University of Delaware]], where she was on the [[dean's list]] and was [[Homecoming queen]], graduating in 1967.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/udaily/2018/May/PDF/ValerieBidenOwens.pdf|title=University of Delaware Statement accessed 11/7/2020}}</ref>

==Career==
After college, Owens was a teacher at [[Wilmington Friends School]] before focusing on politics.<ref name=":0" />

From 1997 until 2016, she served as executive vice-president of [[Joe Slade White|Joe Slade White & Company]], a media consultant firm. Owens has worked with the service organization Ministry of Caring for over 35 years and sits on their Board of Directors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Valerie Biden Owens Biography|url=https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/bideninstitute/about/VBOwens|website=www.bidenschool.udel.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Joe Biden's Sister Isn't Running The Campaign This Time — And It's "Damn Frustrating"|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/henrygomez/joe-biden-sister-valerie-2020-campaign-family|website=BuzzFeed News}}</ref>

She has worked extensively with Women's Campaign International to help teach women how to develop and grow their political skills.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saul|first=Stephanie|date=February 28, 2020|title=Politics, Money, Siblings: The Ties Between Joe Biden and Valerie Biden Owens|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/us/politics/valerie-joe-biden-sister.html|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Parker|first=Ashley|date=October 1, 2008|title=Biden Relies on His Closest Adviser, His Sister (Published 2008)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/us/politics/02valerie.html|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In 2013, Owens traveled with her brother Joe Biden to the [[Vatican City]] as an official U.S. delegate for the [[Papal inauguration of Pope Francis|inauguration of Pope Francis]].<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/biden-plays-the-catholic-card/ar-BB17QatS Biden plays the Catholic card] accessed 11/9/2020</ref>

In 2014, Owens was a Resident Fellow at the [[Harvard Institute of Politics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iop.harvard.edu/fellows/valerie-biden-owens|title=Valerie Biden Owens|website=The Institute of Politics at Harvard University}}</ref> In 2017, Owens was a featured speaker at a [[Ted Talk]] conference in Wilmington, Delaware.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Owens|first=Valerie Biden|title=The Contribution Code: Three B's That Make All the Difference|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/valerie_biden_owens_the_contribution_code_three_b_s_that_make_all_the_difference|via=www.ted.com}}</ref> Owens is Vice-Chair of both the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware and the Biden Foundation. Owens returns to the University of Delaware periodically to give lectures on politics and her experiences as a woman on the campaign trail.<ref>[http://udreview.com/valerie-biden-owens-on-girl-power/ Biden Owens on Girl Power] accessed 11/9/2020</ref>
[[File:Jill Biden visits Seoul, South Korea (2015-07-18) 03.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Owens in [[South Korea]] with her sister-in-law [[Jill Biden]], 2015.]]
She has traveled around the world as a motivational speaker, and teacher of leadership and communication seminars. She helped to found the Owens-Patrick seminar group.<ref>{{cite interview|author=Bill Barrow|title=Q&A: Valerie Biden Owens, from Joe’s manager to proud sister|url=https://apnews.com/article/d2960cf56ff447ba48f2e1c0da435d84|access-date=November 7, 2020|date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> Owens currently sits on the advisory board for the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] Public Policy Institute.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Advisory Board Members | MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute at UNLV | University of Nevada, Las Vegas|url=https://www.unlv.edu/mgmppi/about/advisory-board|website=www.unlv.edu}}</ref>

Owens has played a substantial role in all of her brother's political campaigns dating back to his first campaign, for the [[New Castle County, Delaware]] council in 1970. Owens managed for Joe Biden's [[Joe Biden 1988 presidential campaign|1988 presidential campaign]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/valerie-joe-biden-sister/2020/08/28/7d6998a8-e22c-11ea-8dd2-d07812bf00f7_story.html|title=Biden's sister, Valerie, at his side for 74 years — and for one final goal|first=Matt|last=Viser|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref> In 2008, Owens and [[Ashley Judd]] campaigned together in North Carolina at several events in support of [[Barack Obama]] and Joe Biden.<ref>[https://www.wral.com/entertainment/story/3851949/ Ashley Judd on the trail] accessed 11/14/2020</ref>

Joe Biden mentioned her in his presidential acceptance speech on November 7, 2020. Owens was in attendance at the event in Wilmington, Delaware, where she also met [[Maya Harris]], the sister of [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]]-elect [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/07/annotated-biden-victory-speech/|title=Analysis | Joe Biden's victory speech, annotated|first=Amber|last=Phillips|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Owens’ first husband was Bruce Saunders, whom she married shortly after graduating college.<ref>[https://www.oprahmag.com/life/a34629695/joe-biden-sister-valerie-biden-owens/ Oprah Mag Biden Sister] accessed 11/11/2020</ref> Bruce and Valerie moved in with Joe Biden and his two sons, [[Hunter Biden|Hunter]] and [[Beau Biden|Beau]], following the death of her sister-in-law [[Neilia Hunter Biden|Neilia]] in a car crash in December 1972. Valerie helped look after the boys so that Joe could begin his first term as senator in 1973. Valerie and Bruce had both worked on Joe Biden's first Senate campaign in [[1972 United States Senate election in Delaware|1972]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/25/us/politics/valerie-joe-biden-sister.html Biden Political Family, ''New York Times''] accessed 11/11/2020]</ref>

Owens is married to attorney John T. Owens, with whom she has three children: son Cuffe Owens, also an attorney, and two daughters, Missy Owens and Casey Owens Castello. John T. Owens was a friend of Joe Biden's during their law school years at [[Syracuse University]]. The two were wed in a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] ceremony at the [[Church Center for the United Nations]] in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridal at U.N. For Miss Biden |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/12/archives/bridal-at-un-for-miss-biden.html |access-date=24 May 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=12 October 1975}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/realitycheck/node/7650|title=Statement from Vice President Joe Biden|website=The White House}}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1975/10/12/archives/bridal-at-un-for-miss-biden.html Valerie Biden New York Times Wedding Announcement] accessed 11/9/2020</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-9879221090|title=Biden family does not own Dominion Voting Systems|date=April 20, 2021|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
The University of Delaware bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Law to her in 2018.<ref name=":0" />
[[Harvard University]] honored her with their 'Women Inspiring Change" award in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orgs.law.harvard.edu/womeninspiringchange/2015-honorees/valerie-biden-owens/|title=Valerie Biden Owens|date=March 2, 2015}}</ref>
<br />[[Ursuline Academy (Delaware)|Ursuline Academy]] inducted her to their Distinguished Alumnae Hall of Fame in 2018.<ref>[https://www.ursuline.org/alumnae/distinguished-alumnae-hall-of-fame/ Ursuline 2018 Inductees] accessed 11/9/2020</ref>

In 2021, Forbes listed Owens on their Impact List of 50 Women over 50 who are inspiring change in their communities through social entrepreneurship, law, advocacy and education.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/50over50/impact] Forbes 50 accessed 07/17/2021</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official}}
*{{C-SPAN}}
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{{Joe Biden}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Owens, Valerie Biden}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American educators]]
[[Category:American women academics]]
[[Category:Delaware Democrats]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Delaware alumni]]
[[Category:Motivational speakers]]
[[Category:American campaign managers]]
[[Category:Biden family]]
[[Category:Catholics from Delaware]]
[[Category:American political activists]]
[[Category:American political consultants]]
[[Category:Communications consultants]]
[[Category:Harvard Fellows]]
[[Category:20th-century American women educators]]