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She has at least two years left in the White House, butDr. Jill Bidenwas already enshrined in American history on Wednesday when she gave her 2021 inauguration attire to the Smithsonian’s popularFirst Ladies Collection.
The occasion included affectionate tributes to Biden’s legacy that momentarily took the first lady’s breath away when it was her turn at the microphone inside theSmithsonian’s National Museum of American Historyon Washington’s mall.
“You know, this day is so much more emotional than I ever imagined it to be,” Biden said, collecting herself to proceed with prepared remarks.
The installation of Biden’steal coat and dressfrom her husband’s Jan. 20, 2021, swearing-in on the Capitol steps — plus herembroidered cocktail dress from that evening’s virtual White House celebration, which took the place of traditional inaugural balls — includes the matching face masks Biden wore that day, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still at its height.
“They’re just pieces of small cloth,” Biden said, “but they represent the enormity of what we all faced at the time — a pandemic that has changed our world forever. … But these masks also represent the moments of courage and kindness that helped us through the worst of it, the strength and resilience we found to rebuild and move forward.”
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Opening the brief ceremony, museum directorAnthea HartigrecalledPresident Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration and its context — not only the pandemic, but the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol two weeks earlier that led to riot fencing and high-alert security for the Jan. 20 swearing in on the Capitol steps.
“A weary nation needed healing,” Hartig said. “The elegance and the understated beauty of Dr. Biden’s first-inaugural dresses and coats — and for the first time in our history, coordinating, matching masks — these together captured the uniqueness of that day perfectly.”
In a nod to the fact that the inaugural evening wear already in the exhibit from previous first ladies are allfloor-length ball gowns, Hartig added:
“Dr. Biden, your grace and your confidence reassured and uplifted us in a way that I think a ballgown probably couldn’t have done.”
More than a knee-length evening dress, Biden quipped that she hoped to see another newcomer to the collection: “I look forward to adding some men’s wear to this gallery in the future as well.”
That floral touch was intentional, said Biden: “My focus on Inauguration Day was being a first lady for all Americans, doing my part to bring our country back together.”
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The first lady credited Hearst for pushing her to take fashion risks. “Time and time again, I think that there’s no way I’m going to like her suggestion, but she’s right and I love it.”
With her voice cracking with emotion and her palms pressed together as if in prayer, Biden closed her remarks: “It’s been an honor to serve as your first lady.”
source: people.com
