kerry sanderson was down the hall and taught math. >> she was two doors up from me.nicest person. >> what was she like as a teacher? >> my son had her and loved her. >> i heard she was a tough grader. >> yes. tough teachers, when you learn the most. >> reporter: now a lesson for the country as dr. biden becomes the first first lady to hold a job outside of the white house. >> it will make the first lady so much more like the rest of american women. now there will be someone who is living something so much closer to our lives. >> reporter: does it surprise you we are just now taking this step? >> sometimes we take baby steps as a nation to change things. >> reporter: anita mcbride was former chief of staff to laura bush and says throughout history each first lady defined her role, and many have broken the mold. >> human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights. >> reporter: taking on policy issues, sometimes to deal with current problems, and using their experience to create new initiatives. >> it has become harder and not easier to raise healthy

. >> reporter: kerry sanderson was down the hall and taught math. >> she was two doors up from me and just the nicest person. >> reporter: what was she like as a teacher? >> my son had her, they loved her. she just made learning fun. >> reporter: i heard she was a tough grader. >> yes, but, you know, tough teachers, that is when you learn the most. >> reporter: now, a lesson for the country as dr. biden becomes the first first lady to hold a job outside of the white house. >> does it surprise you that we are just now taking this step. >> we take, sometimes, baby steps as a nation, to change things. >> reporter: anita mcbride was chief of staff to former first lady laura bush. she says throughout history each first lady has defined her role. and many have broken the mold. >> human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights. >> reporter: taking on policy issues, sometimes to deal with current problems. >> just say no. >> reporter: and using their experience to create new initiatives. >> it has actually become harder, not easier, to raise healthy kids in this country.

jill -- >> reporter: kerry sanderson was down the hall and taught math. >> she was two doors up fromgrader. >> yes. but she -- you know, tough teachers, that's when you learn the most. >> reporter: now a lesson for the country as dr. biden becomes the first first lady to hold a job outside of the white house. >> going to make the first lady soso much more like the rest of american women. >> reporter: lisa kathleen graddy is a curator for the first ladies exhibit at the smithsonian museum of american history. >> now there's going to be someone who's living something so much closer to our lives. >> reporter: does it surprise you that we're just now taking ththis step? >> we take sometimes baby steps as a nation to change things. >> reporter: anita mcbride was chief of staff to former first lady laura bush. she says throughout history each first lady has defined her role, and many have broken the mold. >> human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights. >> reporter: taking on policy issues sometimimes to deaeal wi cucurrent problelems. >> jusust sayay no. >> r report