As part of our “Women on Wednesdays” series, please join American University's Women & Politics Institute for a virtual conversation with Valerie Biden Owens, author of Growing Up Biden: A Memoirand WPI Executive Director Betsy Fischer Martin.

Valerie Biden Owens, Joe Biden’s younger sister, trusted confidante and lifelong campaign manager, will discuss her new book Growing Up Biden, a compelling account of “breaking through gender barriers, the elusive nature of confidence, and navigating professional responsibilities while raising children.” As one of the first women in U.S. history to manage a presidential campaign,Growing Up Biden offers intimate stories and inspiring insights, with Biden Owens reflecting on “the role of family, faith, and fate in shaping her life, and the power of empathy and kindness in the face of turmoil and division.” Order the book here

Valerie Biden Owens is one of the first women in the United States to have managed a modern U.S. Senatorial campaign, as well as a Presidential campaign. Biden Owens has led every campaign in her brother Joe Biden’s political career, including his seven straight U.S. Senate victories and his run for two Democratic Presidential nominations. She also has been his principal surrogate on the campaign trail. Currently, Biden Owens is Chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware, a partner at Owens Patrick Leadership Seminars and a senior advisor to Diversified Search Group. Throughout her career, she has also worked extensively with Women’s Campaign International, training women how to organize and develop communication and political skills.

Biden Owens is a graduate of the University of Delaware, which recently bestowed upon her an honorary doctorate. In 2021, Valerie was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 50 >50 women leading the way in impact through social entrepreneurship, law, advocacy and education.

Betsy Fischer Martin is an Emmy-winning journalist and former TV news executive. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University and a faculty member in the School of Public Affairs, where she teaches courses on campaigns and elections. During her earlier career in television news, she spent 23 years at NBC News serving as the longtime Executive Producer of Meet the Press with Tim Russert and as the Managing Editor of NBC News Political Programming.

A native of New Orleans, Fischer Martin did her undergraduate and graduate work at American University in Washington, DC. She is a cum laude graduate of their School of Public Affairs and earned a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the AU School of Communication.

“Women On Wednesdays”: Valerie Biden Owens - “Growing Up Biden: A Memoir”