Karen Pence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Pence
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Second Lady of the United States | |
| In role January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021 |
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| Vice President | Mike Pence |
| Preceded by | Jill Biden |
| Succeeded by | Doug Emhoff (as Second Gentleman) |
| First Lady of Indiana | |
| In role January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2017 |
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| Governor | Mike Pence |
| Preceded by | Cheri Daniels |
| Succeeded by | Janet Holcomb |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Karen Sue Batten
January 1, 1957 McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 3, including Charlotte Pence Bond |
| Education | Butler University (BS, MS) |
Karen Sue Pence (born January 1, 1957) is an American schoolteacher. She served as the Second Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021. She is married to Mike Pence, who was the 48th vice president of the United States.
Before becoming Second Lady, Karen Pence was the first lady of Indiana. She held this role from 2013 to 2017. This was during her husband's time as the 50th governor of Indiana. In 2023, she wrote a book called When It's Your Turn to Serve. This book shares stories about her life as a political spouse.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Karen Sue Batten was born on January 1, 1957. Her birthplace was McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. Her parents were Lillian and John M. Batten. Her father worked for United Airlines.
Her parents divorced when she was very young. Her mother later married Bernard Barcio in 1967. Karen grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Bishop Chatard High School as the top student.
Pence went to Butler University nearby. She studied to become a teacher. She also took many art classes. She earned two degrees from Butler University. These were a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Science (M.S.). Both degrees were in elementary education.
Karen Pence's Teaching Career
Karen Pence has taught at several schools in Indianapolis. These include John Strange Elementary and Acton Elementary. She also taught at Fall Creek Elementary and the Orchard School.
After her first child was born, she started taking watercolor painting classes. This led to a new career. She began painting pictures of houses and old buildings. She sometimes painted as many as 35 pictures a year. She sold some of her paintings at art fairs.
While her husband was a member of Congress, Karen Pence taught art. She worked at Immanuel Christian School. This is a private Christian school in Springfield, Virginia. She taught art there for twelve years.
First Lady of Indiana (2013–2017)
Karen Pence served as the first lady of Indiana. This was from 2013 to 2017. During her first year, she started a special group. It was called the Indiana First Lady's Charitable Foundation. This group helps children, families, and the arts. It also offers money for projects and education.
In 2015, Pence started a small business. It was called "'That's My Towel!' Charm". This business made small metal charms. People could attach them to towels. This helped them find their towel easily. She paused the business when her husband became a candidate for Vice President.
Pence also cared about honey bees. She wanted to help them. She had a beehive placed at the Indiana Governor's Residence. This was during her time as First Lady.
Second Lady of the United States (2017–2021)
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Karen Pence became the second lady of the United States on January 20, 2017. She took over from Jill Biden. As Second Lady, she worked to make people aware of art therapy. This is a way to use art to help people feel better. She first learned about it at a hospital in Washington.
In October 2017, she visited Florida State University. She wanted to show how important their art therapy program was. This program had been helping people since the 1990s.
Pence also continued to support honey bees. In 2017, she had a beehive put at the Vice President's home. This home is called Number One Observatory Circle. She wanted to show how important bees are for pollination.
Returning to Teaching in 2019
In January 2019, it was announced that Pence would teach art again. She returned part-time to Immanuel Christian School. She said she was "excited to be back" and that she "missed teaching art."
Family and Personal Life
Karen Pence met her first husband, John Steven Whitaker, in high school. They married on August 4, 1978. They later divorced.
She met Mike Pence at a Catholic church in Indianapolis. She was playing guitar at Mass. Their first date was ice skating. They got engaged in August 1984. They married on June 8, 1985. Both were Roman Catholics. Later, by 1995, they became evangelical Christians.
The couple has three children. Their names are Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey. Michael serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. Karen Pence has lived most of her life in Indiana. However, her family moved to Washington, D.C. for twelve years. This was when Mike Pence was a congressman. Karen Pence is also a trained pilot.
Pence is known for helping people through art. She drew the pictures for her daughter Charlotte's book. The book is called Marlon Bundo's A Day in the Life of the Vice President. It was published in 2018. Money from the book goes to charities, including art therapy programs.
Images for kids
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Official portrait of Karen Pence, 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Karen Pence para niños
