Tina Tchen’s Life and Career

A lawyer by training, Tina Tchen has also held influential roles in government, working on equity and opportunities for women and girls during Barack Obama’s presidency. She worked as the executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and she was an assistant to President Barack Obama and chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama. Here’s a snapshot of what Tina has accomplished in her life and career: - __Early life__: Tina Tchen was born in Columbus, Ohio, to Peter and Lily Tchen. Tina grew up in Beachwood, Ohio. - __Education__: After graduating high school, Tina went to Harvard University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She then spent a few years working for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and on the Equal Rights Amendment campaign before attending the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. - __White House__: She joined the Obama administration as the director of the White House office of Public Engagement. In 2011, she became an assistant to the president and chief of staff to the first lady. During her time at the White House, she also served as the executive director of the Council on Women and Girls. - __Published work__: Tina has published essays and op-eds for several publications, such as *Fortune*, *Forbes*, CNN, *Fast Company*, *The Washington Post*, *Marie Claire*, and *InStyle*. - __Awards__: Tina’s numerous awards include Chicago Lawyer Person of the Year (1994), Women of Achievement award from the Anti-Defamation League (1996), and Leadership Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (1999). Feminism is an intersectional movement with a focus on issues that touch every part of our lives, including reproductive rights, workplace culture, and caregiving. Gain access to exclusive videos on feminism with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and get a crash course from leaders Gloria Steinem, Amanda Nguyen, Tina Tchen, and adrienne maree brown. Tina Tchen played a prominent role in the Obama administration. Read on to learn about her life and career.