Mothers of the White House

Portraits of mothers who are White House key players.

Happy Mother's Day - In honor of Mother's Day, BET.com was granted exclusive White House access to an exclusive club of women who are A-list members of the Obama administration. In addition to serving in leadership roles in the highest echelons of government, they are helping small businesses and the economy grow, working to keep the nation secure, the environment safe and, yes, President Obama on his toes, they serve in one of the most important roles of all — mother.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Happy Mother's Day - In honor of Mother's Day, BET.com was granted exclusive White House access to an exclusive club of women who are A-list members of the Obama administration. In addition to serving in leadership roles in the highest echelons of government, they are helping small businesses and the economy grow, working to keep the nation secure, the environment safe and, yes, President Obama on his toes, they serve in one of the most important roles of all — mother.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Ultimate White House Mother, Michelle Obama - When people ask First Lady Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate to say that first and foremost, she is mom to Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10. But before she was a mother — or a wife, lawyer or public servant — she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter.The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department and, despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother, Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter and important life lessons. (Photo: Larry Downing/Landov)

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Ultimate White House Mother, Michelle Obama - When people ask First Lady Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate to say that first and foremost, she is mom to Malia, 13, and Sasha, 10. But before she was a mother — or a wife, lawyer or public servant — she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter.The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department and, despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother, Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter and important life lessons. (Photo: Larry Downing/Landov)

Tonya Robinson - Before arriving at the White House this year as the Special Assistant to the President for Justice and Regulatory Policy, Tonya Robinson worked in both the public and private sectors.  More notably she worked as counsel to then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, where she focused on civil rights, counter-terrorism and domestic security, offender reentry, and corporate governance issues. She later returned to private practice in 2004, and most recently served as a partner in the Litigation Department at WilmerHale. Robinson and her husband live in Takoma Park, Maryland, with their 4-year old daughter.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Tonya Robinson - Before arriving at the White House this year as the Special Assistant to the President for Justice and Regulatory Policy, Tonya Robinson worked in both the public and private sectors.  More notably she worked as counsel to then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs, where she focused on civil rights, counter-terrorism and domestic security, offender reentry, and corporate governance issues. She later returned to private practice in 2004, and most recently served as a partner in the Litigation Department at WilmerHale. Robinson and her husband live in Takoma Park, Maryland, with their 4-year old daughter.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Tiffany Thomas Smith - Tiffany Thomas Smith is Deputy Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she advises Secretary Shaun Donovan and other senior HUD officials on promoting the Obama administration's housing recovery efforts and neighborhood transformation priorities. Prior to joining the administration, Smith handled media relations and public affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, one of the nation's largest philanthropies dedicated to improving opportunities for vulnerable children and families. Tiffany's early work as an advocate for family and community issues includes fundraising and community relations for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center. She and husband Dainian Smith live in Baltimore, MD with their 16-month-old daughter, Aubrey.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Tiffany Thomas Smith - Tiffany Thomas Smith is Deputy Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she advises Secretary Shaun Donovan and other senior HUD officials on promoting the Obama administration's housing recovery efforts and neighborhood transformation priorities. Prior to joining the administration, Smith handled media relations and public affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, one of the nation's largest philanthropies dedicated to improving opportunities for vulnerable children and families. Tiffany's early work as an advocate for family and community issues includes fundraising and community relations for the Baltimore Child Abuse Center. She and husband Dainian Smith live in Baltimore, MD with their 16-month-old daughter, Aubrey.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Stacey Brayboy - Stacey Brayboy serves as chief of staff for the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, she manages the daily priorities of FNS, working closely with administrator and senior department officials to provide effective management of policy and programs. She works closely with leaders of stakeholder groups, trade associations and other federal agencies.Brayboy is expecting her first child this summer.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Stacey Brayboy - Stacey Brayboy serves as chief of staff for the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, she manages the daily priorities of FNS, working closely with administrator and senior department officials to provide effective management of policy and programs. She works closely with leaders of stakeholder groups, trade associations and other federal agencies.Brayboy is expecting her first child this summer.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Valerie Jarrett - Valerie B. Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama and chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, is the proud mom of Laura Jarrett, a graduate of Harvard University.The busy mother is one of President Obama’s closest advisers. Prior to joining the Obama administration, she was the CEO of the Habitat Company. She also served as co-chair of the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team and was senior adviser to Obama's presidential campaign.(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Queen Muse - Queen Muse, 28, is a White House Intern in the Office of Communications and a recent graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia. Muse lives in Washington, D.C. and she is the mother of 3-year-old daughter, Aniyah. Though her education journey has been a tumultuous one, Muse said, “I am so grateful for having a second chance to further my education and pursue my dreams.”A nontraditional college student, Muse began her college career in 2002. Due to financial difficulties, she left La Salle in 2003 and entered the workforce where she served as an underwriter for a local finance company for five years. Under the crux of the recession, Muse was laid off and this prompted her return to La Salle in 2009.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Queen Muse - Queen Muse, 28, is a White House Intern in the Office of Communications and a recent graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia. Muse lives in Washington, D.C. and she is the mother of 3-year-old daughter, Aniyah. Though her education journey has been a tumultuous one, Muse said, “I am so grateful for having a second chance to further my education and pursue my dreams.”A nontraditional college student, Muse began her college career in 2002. Due to financial difficulties, she left La Salle in 2003 and entered the workforce where she served as an underwriter for a local finance company for five years. Under the crux of the recession, Muse was laid off and this prompted her return to La Salle in 2009.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Marie Johns - Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator, Small Business Administration, is the proud mother of one son and grandmother of two, who has always found ways to weave her passion for education and mentorship into her professional life. Previously, she served as President of Verizon Washington, where she was instrumental in the effort to obtain a $10 million grant for the D.C. Public Schools to implement a school to careers reform initiative. After retiring from Verizon and starting her own small business, Johns remained an active civic leader. She was a member of several nonprofit boards, including Girl Scouts USA, the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services, and the Women’s Advisory Board of the Girl Scouts of the National Capital area. Johns also served for 10 years as a trustee at Howard University and was the founding chair of the Howard University Middle School of M...

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Marie Johns - Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator, Small Business Administration, is the proud mother of one son and grandmother of two, who has always found ways to weave her passion for education and mentorship into her professional life. Previously, she served as President of Verizon Washington, where she was instrumental in the effort to obtain a $10 million grant for the D.C. Public Schools to implement a school to careers reform initiative. After retiring from Verizon and starting her own small business, Johns remained an active civic leader. She was a member of several nonprofit boards, including Girl Scouts USA, the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services, and the Women’s Advisory Board of the Girl Scouts of the National Capital area. Johns also served for 10 years as a trustee at Howard University and was the founding chair of the Howard University Middle School of M...

Latoya Murphy - Latoya Murphy, Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat, U.S. Department of Commerce, is a single mother who believes the key to finishing everything on your daily plate is to take small, digestible bites. She prides herself on balancing her demanding career with her three life priorities — spending quality time with her daughters Morgan, 6, and McKenzie, 4, staying physically and emotionally fit and increasing her spiritual maturity.She looks forward to weekly "Fun Friday" date nights with her daughters. She's currently training for the 2012 Marine Corp Marathon and teaches 4-year-olds in her church's children's ministry.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Latoya Murphy - Latoya Murphy, Director, Office of the Executive Secretariat, U.S. Department of Commerce, is a single mother who believes the key to finishing everything on your daily plate is to take small, digestible bites. She prides herself on balancing her demanding career with her three life priorities — spending quality time with her daughters Morgan, 6, and McKenzie, 4, staying physically and emotionally fit and increasing her spiritual maturity.She looks forward to weekly "Fun Friday" date nights with her daughters. She's currently training for the 2012 Marine Corp Marathon and teaches 4-year-olds in her church's children's ministry.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Latifa Lyles - Latifa Lyles is the Acting Director of the Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, where she works to advance and improve standards, practices and opportunities for women in the labor force. She previously served as Vice President for Membership of the National Organization for Women (NOW), where she served as a principal media spokesperson on a wide range of women's issues. She is celebrating her first Mother's Day with daughter Emerson, who is 10 months old. Lyles has extensive, community and political organizing experience and has been working in the social justice movement for more than 10 years.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Latifa Lyles - Latifa Lyles is the Acting Director of the Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, where she works to advance and improve standards, practices and opportunities for women in the labor force. She previously served as Vice President for Membership of the National Organization for Women (NOW), where she served as a principal media spokesperson on a wide range of women's issues. She is celebrating her first Mother's Day with daughter Emerson, who is 10 months old. Lyles has extensive, community and political organizing experience and has been working in the social justice movement for more than 10 years.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Kisha Davis - White House Fellow Dr. Kisha Davis M.D. lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and with her two energetic boys, Spencer,  5 and Byron, 1. She most recently served as a family physician at Chase Brexton Health Services  Inc. and practiced primary care medicine at a culturally and socioeconomically diverse community health center. In addition to routine primary care, she has special interest in HIV/AIDS, women’s health and diabetes. (Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Kisha Davis - White House Fellow Dr. Kisha Davis M.D. lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and with her two energetic boys, Spencer,  5 and Byron, 1. She most recently served as a family physician at Chase Brexton Health Services  Inc. and practiced primary care medicine at a culturally and socioeconomically diverse community health center. In addition to routine primary care, she has special interest in HIV/AIDS, women’s health and diabetes. (Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Kathy Branch - Before joining the Obama administration in the Departments of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Katherine Branch, Special Assistant to Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, was the executive assistant to Jarrett at the Habitat Company. Branch started her career as a typist in local government in the city of Chicago's Department of Planning. Branch is the proud mother of Darrell Lyons, who is engaged to Natalie Borges. She’s also a proud grandmother of seven-month-old Mikael Lyric Lyons. (Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Kathy Branch - Before joining the Obama administration in the Departments of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Katherine Branch, Special Assistant to Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, was the executive assistant to Jarrett at the Habitat Company. Branch started her career as a typist in local government in the city of Chicago's Department of Planning. Branch is the proud mother of Darrell Lyons, who is engaged to Natalie Borges. She’s also a proud grandmother of seven-month-old Mikael Lyric Lyons. (Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Rev. E. Terri LaVelle  - Rev. E. Terri LaVelle was appointed by President Barack Obama as Director, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in September 2009. Rev. LaVelle serves as an Advisor to the Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on matters related to VA cultivating and developing collaborative relationships with faith-based, nonprofit, and community leaders, and organizations.She is single mom to LaVenia J. LaVelle, who is currently serving as the Director of Press Operations for the Democratic National Convention Committee in Charlotte, North Carolina.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Rev. E. Terri LaVelle  - Rev. E. Terri LaVelle was appointed by President Barack Obama as Director, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in September 2009. Rev. LaVelle serves as an Advisor to the Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on matters related to VA cultivating and developing collaborative relationships with faith-based, nonprofit, and community leaders, and organizations.She is single mom to LaVenia J. LaVelle, who is currently serving as the Director of Press Operations for the Democratic National Convention Committee in Charlotte, North Carolina.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Dru Ealons - Dru Ealons serves at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Director for the Office of Public Engagement. As a senior executive in the Office of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Ealon’s responsibilities encompass crafting and overseeing EPA’s public engagement strategy. Prior to joining the agency, in 2010, she worked as the director of development for Pathways, a homeless shelter for women and children in Birmingham, Alabama, serving as the chief fundraising officer and as the official spokesperson for the Agency.Ealons received her undergraduate degree in Marketing and Human Resource Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She curently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband Corey and young son Maxwell.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Dru Ealons - Dru Ealons serves at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Director for the Office of Public Engagement. As a senior executive in the Office of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Ealon’s responsibilities encompass crafting and overseeing EPA’s public engagement strategy. Prior to joining the agency, in 2010, she worked as the director of development for Pathways, a homeless shelter for women and children in Birmingham, Alabama, serving as the chief fundraising officer and as the official spokesperson for the Agency.Ealons received her undergraduate degree in Marketing and Human Resource Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She curently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband Corey and young son Maxwell.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Dr. Lorraine Cole - Dr. Lorraine Cole is Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion for the Department of the Treasury. In that role, she is responsible for ensuring fair inclusion of minorities and women in management and senior positions within the agency as well as minority- and women-owned firms in business activities of the agency, and policies and standards that impact workforce and contractor diversity. Cole is celebrating her 30th anniversary this year with husband Vincent Stovall and is the proud mother of a 23-year-old daughter Somerlyn, who recently began pursuing a career in business management.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Dr. Lorraine Cole - Dr. Lorraine Cole is Director of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion for the Department of the Treasury. In that role, she is responsible for ensuring fair inclusion of minorities and women in management and senior positions within the agency as well as minority- and women-owned firms in business activities of the agency, and policies and standards that impact workforce and contractor diversity. Cole is celebrating her 30th anniversary this year with husband Vincent Stovall and is the proud mother of a 23-year-old daughter Somerlyn, who recently began pursuing a career in business management.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Dr. Ester Brimmer - Dr. Ester Brimmer is Assistant Secretary for International Organizations in the U.S. State Department. She manages the United States’ relationship with the United Nations system. She was confirmed by the Senate in April 2009. Dr. Brimmer is the proud mother of a son, Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Dr. Ester Brimmer - Dr. Ester Brimmer is Assistant Secretary for International Organizations in the U.S. State Department. She manages the United States’ relationship with the United Nations system. She was confirmed by the Senate in April 2009. Dr. Brimmer is the proud mother of a son, Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Dot Harris - As director of the Energy Department's Office of Minority Economic Impact, Dot Harris plays an instrumental role in ensuring that women and minorities around the nation increase their representation in the critical science, technology, engineering and math fields. (Photo: Courtesy US Department of Energy)

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Dot Harris - Dot Harris runs the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the United States Department of Energy. She leads the DOE’s efforts to ensure minorities and historically underrepresented communities are afforded an opportunity to participate fully in our energy programs.Harris is mother to William Avery, 18, Gary Allan, 20, and Goddaughter Yorri Berry.Track star Will will attend Georgia Southern University this fall to study Business/Management IT. Gary is pre-med at Morehouse College. His grandmother and aunt died from breast cancer and he knew at eight years old that he wanted to be a gynecologic oncologist so he could help the women in his family.Harris met Yorri Berry through the GE Leadership Program six years ago, when she served as a mentor to Berry. The two bonded through the mentorship program and became family to each other. Berry is a Ph.D. candidate at Ford...

Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph. D. - Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D., is Acting Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which awards grants to university researchers across the nation for a wide range of research that addresses the needs of farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. She is is the proud mother of Autumn, 12, and Arland, 8.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

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Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph. D. - Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Ph.D., is Acting Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which awards grants to university researchers across the nation for a wide range of research that addresses the needs of farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. She is is the proud mother of Autumn, 12, and Arland, 8.(Photo: Eli Meir Kaplan/BET)

Claudette Tidwell-Whitted  - With almost 20 years of federal service, Claudette Tidwell-Whitted has been with the Department of Labor’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs as a Staff Assistant since 1993."As a public servant for the U.S. Department of Labor I love helping people all over the world. It gives me great joy to know that I am a part of a team that makes sure child labor laws are enforced, sweat shops are abolished, pensions are protected, apprenticeships and training programs are available and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all working Americans just to name a few programs within the department." The two-time breast cancer survivor says her inspiration and joy comes with the title Grandmother, which was proudly bestowed on her in 2006 when her daugher was blessed with twin boys. "I’m known to them as Granny and th...

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Claudette Tidwell-Whitted  - With almost 20 years of federal service, Claudette Tidwell-Whitted has been with the Department of Labor’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs as a Staff Assistant since 1993."As a public servant for the U.S. Department of Labor I love helping people all over the world. It gives me great joy to know that I am a part of a team that makes sure child labor laws are enforced, sweat shops are abolished, pensions are protected, apprenticeships and training programs are available and equal opportunities are guaranteed for all working Americans just to name a few programs within the department." The two-time breast cancer survivor says her inspiration and joy comes with the title Grandmother, which was proudly bestowed on her in 2006 when her daugher was blessed with twin boys. "I’m known to them as Granny and th...

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Susan Rice, Ambassador to the United Nations - Ambassador to the United States Susan Rice is committed to playing a vital role in advancing interntational peace, security around the world and strengthening human rights. Rice has served in many roles as part of President Obama's teams: Senior Advisor fo National Security Affairs on the Obama for America Campaign; Advisory Board of the Obama-Biden Transition; and co-chair of the policy working group on national security. She completed her undergraduate work at Stanford University, where she met her husband Ian Cameron, a former producer with ABC News, and with whom she has two children. Their son, 14, enjoys playing tennis and starts high school next year, and their 9-year-old daughter is a fan of soccer. They both like to play basketball like their mom. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Lisa Jackson - Since being named President Obama’s cabinet member in charge of environmental protection, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has been named one of Newsweek’s “Most Important People in 2010,” featured on Time magazine’s 2010 and 2011 lists of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and profiled in O Magazine for her work to protect our nation’s air, water and land from pollution that threatens human health.But one of her most important roles is being mother to sons Marcus and Brian and wife to husband Kenny.As the first African-American to serve as EPA Administrator, Jackson has made it a priority to expand outreach to communities that are historically under-represented in environmental action.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for TIME)

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Lisa Jackson - Since being named President Obama’s cabinet member in charge of environmental protection, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has been named one of Newsweek’s “Most Important People in 2010,” featured on Time magazine’s 2010 and 2011 lists of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” and profiled in O Magazine for her work to protect our nation’s air, water and land from pollution that threatens human health.But one of her most important roles is being mother to sons Marcus and Brian and wife to husband Kenny.As the first African-American to serve as EPA Administrator, Jackson has made it a priority to expand outreach to communities that are historically under-represented in environmental action.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for TIME)

Nicole Lamb-Hale - As the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Nicole Lamb-Hale has an equally busy schedule at home as  mother to John Hobart Hale, 15, and Ashleigh Nicole Hart, 12. President Obama nominated Lamb-Hale in November 2009 to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services in the International Trade Administration, where she helped U.S. industries succeed internationally by strengthening their competitive position in foreign markets to sustain and create American jobs.Before joining the Obama Administration, Lamb-Hale was the Managing Partner of the Detroit office of an international law firm, where she specialized in business restructuring in the manufacturing sector. She has been a frequent lecturer on business restructuring matters with a particular emphasis in recent ye...

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Nicole Lamb-Hale - As the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Nicole Lamb-Hale has an equally busy schedule at home as  mother to John Hobart Hale, 15, and Ashleigh Nicole Hart, 12. President Obama nominated Lamb-Hale in November 2009 to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services in the International Trade Administration, where she helped U.S. industries succeed internationally by strengthening their competitive position in foreign markets to sustain and create American jobs.Before joining the Obama Administration, Lamb-Hale was the Managing Partner of the Detroit office of an international law firm, where she specialized in business restructuring in the manufacturing sector. She has been a frequent lecturer on business restructuring matters with a particular emphasis in recent ye...