WASHINGTO — Jeremy Bernard, newly hired as the White House social secretary, will be responsible for planning numerous social functions and events and pulling them off without a hitch, including opulent state dinners, the annual Easter Egg Roll and dozens upon dozens of receptions.
Bernard, a senior adviser to the U.S. ambassador to France, is moving from Paris to Washington to take the high-profile position, the first time it will be held by a man.
President Barack Obama said Bernard shares his and first lady Michelle Obama’s vision of the White House as a place that “celebrates our history and culture in dynamic and inclusive ways.” Bernard said he was deeply humbled to be joining the White House staff.
“I have long admired the arts and education programs that have become hallmarks of the Obama White House and I am eager to continue these efforts in the years ahead,” he said through the White House.
The Obamas celebrated Black History Month on Thursday night with a tribute to the Motown sound. It was the latest installment in a White House music series that Michelle Obama launched after becoming first lady. She also includes students in many White House events, from helping plant her vegetable garden on the South Lawn to getting lessons from the professionals who participate in the music series.
Bernard will become the first male social secretary in White House history, but he will not be the first man based in the East Wing of the White House, where the first lady’s mostly female staff is located.
Both deputy social secretaries are male, as are Michelle Obama’s deputy policy director and her trip director.
And there’s some precedent for having a male social secretary. Vice President Joe Biden’s is a man, Carlos Elizondo.
Letitia Baldrige, who was social secretary for the Kennedys, said women for years have been breaking the glass ceiling and filling positions long held by men and that there’s no reason why this key White House position shouldn’t be filled by a man.
“Husbands and wives have been co-hosting since the beginning of time,” she said. “I think it’s terribly smart to give men a chance.” Bernard will be the Obamas’ third social secretary.
The San Antonio native succeeds Julianna Smoot, who stepped down last month to help get Obama’s re-election campaign up and running.
Desiree Rogers, the Obamas’ first social secretary, departed in February 2010, a few months after Obama’s first state dinner — honoring India — was marred when a Virginia couple managed to get in without an invitation and shake hands with the president.
Before moving to Paris, Bernard was the White House liaison to the National Endowment for the Humanities from 2008-2010. He also had been a finance consultant in California for Obama’s presidential campaign.
He has been active in several gay and lesbian organizations, including the National Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Access Now for Gay & Lesbian Equality and several advisory committees in Los Angeles, according to the White House.
Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said these are “historic times” for gays and lesbians.
Chad Griffin, president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which is fighting California’s voter-approved gay marriage ban, said Bernard’s appointment “underscores the president’s commitment to diversity and should be celebrated by all Americans.”
