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On this episode of the Scientista Podcast, hosts Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina sit down with Jennifer Klein— Former Director of the White House Gender Policy Council and now Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Klein’s career didn’t start with an explicit focus on gender. After earning her law degree, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work on health care reform in the Clinton administration. But an early brush with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton—and a box of old high school papers—hinted at a deeper calling. “I thought I wanted to work on health policy,” Klein reflects. “But apparently, I was destined to work on gender issues all along.”
From the White House to the World Stage
Klein rose quickly, serving as a senior domestic policy advisor to Hillary Clinton and later holding key positions in the State Department during the Obama administration. Most recently, she led the White House Gender Policy Council under President Biden, shaping policies on women’s health, reproductive rights, economic security, and gender-based violence.
Her experience spans decades, but her message remains urgent: gender equality isn’t a side issue—it’s fundamental to a thriving society. From expanding childcare access to pushing for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, Klein has been at the forefront of making that case.
Fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment
One of Klein’s landmark achievements was helping to advance the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) — a nearly century-long fight for constitutional gender equality. Under her leadership, the Biden administration formally recognized the ERA as the 28th Amendment, arguing that all legal requirements for ratification had been met. Despite political hurdles, Klein made clear: codifying gender equality isn’t just symbolic—it’s essential for protecting the rights and futures of all Americans.
Raising Boys, Fighting for Girls
Outside the halls of power, Klein’s commitment to gender equity shaped her most personal role: raising three sons. She shares a memorable story of pulling the car over when one of her young boys questioned why she “always talked about the girls.” Her answer was simple: “My job is to raise three really good, decent boys into men. And after that, I’m going to worry about the girls.”
Changing the Conversation on Women’s Health
Klein has also championed long-overdue attention to women’s health research. One of her proudest moments came during the Biden administration when she helped launch a federal effort to improve funding for women’s health—and became, by her own account, the first person to say the word “menopause” in the Oval Office to the president. It was a symbolic and significant breakthrough in normalizing conversations around women’s health at the highest levels of power.
The Global Backlash—and the Power of Persistence
Klein doesn’t shy away from addressing today’s political climate. From attacks on gender studies to the erosion of reproductive rights, she sees the rise of authoritarianism and misogyny as deeply intertwined. “When people feel like they’re losing power, they attack others,” she explains. But she also sees hope: a new generation of global activists, fueled by the same spirit that connected women’s movements across the world after the landmark 1995 Beijing Conference.
Lessons for a New Generation
As she steps into her new role at Columbia, Klein is focused on the future—on teaching the next wave of leaders how to drive real change. Her advice to those navigating careers and curveballs? Stay focused on the long game. “The path to your goal doesn’t disappear when you hit bumps along the way,” she says.
Jennifer Klein’s story is a reminder that lasting change requires not just passion, but patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up—even when the path forward isn’t easy.
🎧 Listen now to hear Jennifer’s reflections on policymaking, parenting, and the enduring fight for equality.
