"It's in the way that you use it, the popularity…Either you work together to make an impact or eventually, your actions drive a further divide among others." -Suzanne Gibbs
The writer liked the angle—three generations of women, one world impact. It was how the idea was sold to the Evening editor with Claudia and Suzanne stating the case. The request was not barking order, but rather, a suggestion to feature all the Presidential Women. The interviews were individually for the simple background information. A photographer accompanied the writer to capture both staged and impromptu moments. It was a typical day at the office with Suzanne.
"It's usually quiet until Suzanne comes back; she spends a lot of time on the road with the Boss." Linda filed, typed and called for Suzanne and Claudia to retrieve files. "After a junket, she types a summary and helps arrange future schedules and events-lots of paperwork, research, along with wheeling and dealing."
The elder stateswoman of the trio spoke glowingly of her 30 year marriage, her five children and 10 grandchildren. Her presence was the precarious balance of womanhood—values from the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomer eras.
"Today, Suzanne!" The younger reached the desk moments later.
She spent a majority of her marriage as a Navy wife, often alone in a strange town, raising their four sons and daughter alone. Linda shared how the three coordinate each other's attributes to make an impact on the Presidency.
"ASAP-their service team will need the itinerary to coordinate their efforts."
"Yes, ma'am." Suzanne answered.
"She's a little bit older than my daughter, but the same age as my baby son, Nicholas." She chuckled, glanced at Suzanne filing and typing responses from across the room.
"I began working after Paul retired and when our daughter, Patricia, was in second grade. Seemed like the right time." Linda paused, studied the picture of her daughter.
"At the height of the Movement, I wanted to instill the same values Claudia and Suzanne possess—never surrender, never underestimate your self-worth, and to have a separate identity than your spouse. It's funny, because Tricia doesn't have children; my sons do!" A collage of family portraits sat at her desk. By one, with pride, she introduced her children—Paul, Christopher, David, Nicholas and Patricia.
The middle desk was Claudia's. There were instances at work where Claudia collaborated with both Suzanne and Linda.
"Claudia Hunter Bailey...Both undergrad and grad degrees from Princeton, originally from Buffalo, NY. Like Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Person, I have a background in History and Government. I was married almost 10 years. I taught before coming to Washington—U.S. History and adjunct at the community college. It was easier to have a teaching career than a law career as a military wife."
Short and the point was Claudia's mantra.
Claudia, born in the mid 1970's, was influenced by Steinem as a child, Ferraro as a teenager, and Ann Richards throughout her college years. She embodied the goal of the Women's Movement, the lessons from her elder stateswomen like Linda and her own mother. She married at 25, her high school sweetheart, after graduating law school. Claudia was an Air Force wife.
"I met David Owens at Dover when my husband was killed in an IED explosion in Afghanistan 3 years ago—Bagram Air Base."
The room was quiet. Even the small chit-chat between Suzanne and Linda immediately stopped. It was the first time Claudia shared with anyone she was a widow. It explained the reason she seldom spoke about relationships. Many assumed divorce due to her multi-tiered, tough as nails persona. His name was William Bailey—Will, not Bill. She said little about a personal life and seldom said much about her family. Her voice became softer.
"Will's last tour…he would've made 20. He joined right out of high school." Claudia recalled, a tear lingered on her eyelash. "We planned to return back to Buffalo, starting our family…" She sighed, eased back in her chair and paused.
"Well, thought I'd stay here and start over, fighting for our military families." Claudia resumed typing, focusing on the computer monitor. "I'd like to think, even with scheduling and advance, my work highlights military contributions, ensuring equality and appreciation to both active and retired service members." Claudia printed a recent email, called Suzanne over to the desk.
"They're saying a meeting's planned for May 1st."
The reporter spoke to Suzanne last, deeming her the rookie of the group. By choice, she explained, she sat closest to the Oval Office yet close enough to interact with her colleagues. The ingenue in books were generally unsophisticated. How could the term be used in government? Between the three, she was the least experienced but her inexperience drew popularity among voters.
Claudia began to notice her colleague's quirks for the first time during their interview, how she used hands to convey excitement or leeriness. For example, Suzanne reached for hand lotion, tucked away in her pants pocket, dabbed a portion and massaged her hands thoroughly. It was a specific brand, which she had two or three. The simple observation answered why Suzanne searched, sometimes bought multiple bottles of lotion. She chuckled at the sight, the thought of someone so confident at their job conveyed genuine shyness.
In her own style—sweet-natured, forceful voice, varied facial expression—she was not unsophisticated. Her dress—khaki pants, collared shirts, matching scarf and shoes (tennis shoes), Suzanne's girl next door looks fooled, led those to believe, on first impression, that her figure landed her the position.
"Today is a production day—meaning we're scheduled for paperwork and meetings." Suzanne explained her casual look.
"No pictures, please? At least, from the waist down..."
Whatever Suzanne Gibbs wanted, she asked and received. The photographer nodded.
"What about your husband?" The reporter asked, noticing the picture of the couple on her desk.
"Let's just say I'm happily married." She answered clearly, politely, and even with a smile. It was a completely different interview than the one in London. Suzanne was at work, meaning additional opportunities to avoid speaking only about her life.
Her cellphone rang. She signaled with one finger to hold all questions.
"You'll have to excuse me. I need to take this conference call." With a swipe of a finger, she activated the earpiece.
"Mrs. Gibbs." She answered.
"Yes…Yes, please." Suzanne reached for a pen, her tablet and furiously jotted notes.
The reporter motioned for the photographer to snap pictures of her work space. She paid little attention to the clicks from the camera, continued her work.
"No. I sent the response to Danielle five weeks ago, before we did the European junket…No, I didn't double-book." Suzanne readjusted her chair, facing the desktop computer.
Linda and Claudia praised Suzanne's 'organized chaotic schedule' to fulfill many job responsibilities, offered small details on her methodology—sticky notes, paper journals and her tablet notebook. She referred to the notes. Suzanne kept very meticulous notes, suggestions across the work space.
"She is fantastic at scheduling the President's day…" Linda responded. "She has her method, which works."
"I have a time stamp for February 5 at 7:10 AM…" She grasped the mouse, scrolled downward, acknowledging the conversation. Suzanne sighed in exasperation.
"I'm staring at it on my own screen." Suzanne answered. "There was a c/c to the supervisors and to the Boss. It was not classified information. Alright…is Danielle nearby?"
In political circles, Suzanne remained pure—mind and spirit and far away from political mud-slinging. It was agreed that the younger was the most down-to-earth.
"Okay." Suzanne smiled. "Danielle? Hey, it's Q from the Office. Tuesday, the 11th, 8:30—Conference Room… Yes, I'll make sure the coffee is there…" She chuckled.
"You know how it is after a junket! Please let them know… 5x11 in the room, L-Shaped…for Delta Oscar; Sierra Golf and Charlie Bravo—female. Also, include Delta Delta from Secret Service as well. 8811. Concerning domestic travel—New Orleans…you can get in touch with Delta Papa from NCIS in NOLA. Thank you. You too. Bye."
"All those numbers…" The reporter said.
"Arrangements for the conference room meeting…setup, number of individuals." Suzanne replied. "We have a meeting next week, Claudia." She passed the information to her colleague with numbers, bulleted points in her handwriting. "Last minute…about New Orleans."
"You need those specifics?"
"Please? So I can type them up…" Suzanne answered. "I'm going for coffee, then to the Press Room. I'll be right back."
"This is a quiet day?"
Claudia and Linda nodded, continued answering the phones, answering questions and typing.
She brought back the coffee tray and pastries to the conference room, available for the group interview after lunch time.
"Often, she goes downstairs to the kitchen to fetch the coffee for the West Wing!"
I do work for the President." She reminded. "Beck and call?"
"The Kitchen Manager once threatened Suzanne to stay out, unless she put on an apron and clock in; she did it!" Claudia laughed. "We found her downstairs working on hors d'oeuvre trays!"
"Was the President mad?" The reporter asked.
"He laughed, asked me politely to get my butt upstairs!" Suzanne responded. "Anyway, the President is actually unavailable today…" Suzanne closed the door, leaving a small gap. As a general rule, Suzanne sat near the doorway, in case the President requested her services.
The three ladies chatted away, laughing with or at one another, and even politely interrupting one another with humorous side-pieces to a story.
"You've brought a lot of...interest to the White House and to politics, Mrs. Gibbs."
"I'm just your ordinary woman." Suzanne said.
"I beg to differ…" The reporter negated the personal viewpoint by discussing her workout regimen, even her responses in London weeks ago.
"Thank you just the same. I'm humbled." Suzanne served the coffee and pastries to everyone.
"It's in the way that you use it, the popularity…" Suzanne began with the thought as the main reason she disliked recent attention. "Either you work together to make an impact or eventually, your actions will create a further divide among others."
Her summation was a perfect beginning to the article.
Suzanne's persona did not stay just on the West Wing, as her colleagues explained. Both Claudia and Linda confirmed through narratives how their younger colleague worked alone in the Presidential Library after hours, sometimes with the President. The employees on the East Wing kitchen designated a small corner downstairs near the coffee carafes and refrigerator!
"I just don't want people to get the wrong idea about me, my life. I'm not that far removed from anything. As for the kitchen visits, hey, I wasn't always the friendly, neighborhood EA…" Suzanne chuckled. "I am not accustomed to the pomp and circumstance."
Claudia was impressed, quickly learned as to why Suzanne traveled with the President. She never listened to her coworker. Her pitch was tenor, high when excited and soothingly low in general conversations. She handled the physicality of a workout partner and the responsibility of Presidential Caretaker.
"This is not a 'me' but a 'we' office. United we stand, divided we fall. That encompasses all aspects of the White House."
The two nodded in agreement, smiled.
The friendly, light-hearted banter continued. Questions varied—from personal to professional.
"Don't move anything off Claudia's desk. She will notice…" Linda smirked.
"I got Suzanne the other day!"
"It was a file, Claudia!"
"If something's afoul, Suzanne will say—it still stinks to high heaven, even with the douse of expensive perfume…" Claudia offered a Suzanne saying. "If you've been wondering where the President gets such quotes…try hanging around this one without picking up a nugget!"
"You like it." Suzanne smiled.
"Like it; hell, I love it!" Claudia smiled, winked.
"If Mama's not happy…" Suzanne roared with laughter, with Claudia finishing the quote describing Linda. "Nobody's happy!"
"We're using this as the main photo." the photographer announced. "It is absolutely perfect!"
The last task for the three was a group picture. Suzanne insisted on sitting at the end, with Linda in the middle and Claudia and Suzanne on each side. The three held hands and smiled.
The day ended unexpectedly with a lesson, Suzanne reflected quietly and at first alone in the restroom as she removed the excess makeup from the professional photo session. Like she promised while in Europe, Suzanne planned to bond with Claudia Bailey. The reasons were clearer than recent bumps with Jane. Despite polar personal philosophies on handling others, they shared a commonality. They learned more about each other than expected. Their actions helped in their relationship.
"Hi, Claudie."
"Suzanne." Claudia stood in the mirror. As a gesture of goodwill, she pushed the moist towels in the middle, a sign to feel free to use.
"Good interview." Suzanne said. Claudia agreed by nodding. A moment passed before more the conversation continued.
"Listen, about the 'Newlywed,' 'Alphabet' cracks…I do that out of like."
"I know."
She watched Suzanne use the towels, began around the eyes and methodically removed the excess eye makeup. She splashed water across her face, dabbed gently with a towel.
"I'm not used to wearing makeup."
"You really don't need it…"
The two faced one another, simply smiled.
"You're very good at your job." Claudia continued, brushing back her hair and double-checking her appearance in the mirror. "Don't let anyone, including me, say otherwise."
"Thank you." Suzanne smiled at Claudia. The two looked in the mirror, glanced at one another and chuckled. "I just try to...remain grounded."
"You are very grounded." Claudia sighed, asked Suzanne if she drank liquor as the two walked out of the restroom, continuing their conversation.
"There's a place on the Hill-lousy service, but great margaritas and burgers." Claudia suggested, grabbing her keys and belongings from the desk.
"I could use one..." Suzanne replied, mimicking the exact task. "A nice tall margarita on the rocks and a good 'Black and Blue' burger."
Linda's curiosity peaked, seeing those two actually getting along and smiling!
"We're going to the Spot, Linda."
"This, I have to see!" Linda retrieved her belongings. The three walked out together.