Karen Pence

Karen Pence – Life, Career, and Memorable Insights

Learn about Karen Pence — American educator, artist, former Second Lady of the States, and advocate for art therapy. Discover her background, public service, beliefs, and notable quotes.

Introduction

Karen Pence (born January 1, 1957) is an American teacher, watercolor artist, and former Second Lady of the United States (2017–2021). As the spouse of Vice President Mike Pence, she brought a quiet dedication to causes she cares about — especially art therapy, education, and family values. Though her role was ceremonial in many respects, she used her platform to advocate for creative healing, support children and military families, and continue her own lifelong practice in arts and teaching.

Early Life and Family

Karen Sue Batten (later Pence) was born January 1, 1957, at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas.

Karen grew up in Indianapolis, in the Broad Ripple Village neighborhood.

She went on to enroll at Butler University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in elementary education (with a minor in art). Her training set the foundation for her twin passions: teaching and the arts.

Youth, Education, and Early Career

After completing her studies, Karen began her career as an elementary school teacher in Indianapolis. She taught in schools like John Strange Elementary, Acton Elementary, Fall Creek Elementary, and The Orchard School.

While raising her family, she also explored watercolor painting. After the birth of her first child, she took watercolor classes, which blossomed into a secondary pursuit.

She also taught art at Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, Virginia during her husband’s congressional years, for about twelve years.

Public Service and Roles

First Lady of Indiana (2013–2017)

When Mike Pence served as Governor of Indiana, Karen assumed the role of First Lady of Indiana.

In 2015, she launched a small business called “That’s My Towel! Charm” producing metal charms to identify towels. While it was later put on hold, it reflected her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Her interest in the environment also showed through: as First Lady, she had a beehive installed at the Indiana Governor’s Residence to promote pollinator awareness.

Second Lady of the United States (2017–2021)

On January 20, 2017, Karen Pence became Second Lady of the United States when her husband assumed the vice presidency. In this role, she used her platform to highlight her passions and causes.

One of her signature initiatives was Healing with the HeART, promoting art therapy as a means of mental health support and healing.

She also continued her focus on support for military families, children, and education.

During her tenure, she returned—part time—to teaching art at Immanuel Christian School. This decision drew some controversy because of the school’s policies concerning LGBTQ individuals and staff, which critics viewed as exclusionary.

Additionally, Karen illustrated the children’s book Marlon Bundo’s A Day in the Life of the Vice President, authored by her daughter Charlotte.

In 2023, she published a memoir, When It’s Your Turn to Serve: Experiencing God’s Grace in His Calling for Your Life.

Personal Life, Beliefs & Identity

Karen’s first marriage was to John Steven Whitaker in 1978; they later divorced.

They have three children: Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey.

Karen and Mike were originally Roman Catholic but later embraced evangelical Christianity around 1995. Their faith has guided many of their public and private decisions.

Among her personal attributes:

• She is a licensed pilot.

• She is known for her quiet humility, devout faith, and preference for using creativity and service over political grandstanding.

• Her art and teaching have been integral to how she defines herself beyond the role of a public spouse.

Legacy and Influence

Karen Pence’s influence is perhaps subtle rather than sweeping, but meaningful in certain areas:

• Advocacy for art therapy: She brought attention to a mental health approach that is less known, helping raise awareness.

• Bridging education and service: As a teacher who continued to teach even while in a nationally prominent role, she embodied the value of staying true to one’s vocation.

• Support for children, military families, and the arts: Her charitable, educational, and service initiatives reflect consistent priorities.

• Cultural symbolism: In a political era marked by partisanship and spectacle, Karen often represented steadiness, faith, and diligence behind the scenes.

Her memoir and continued involvement in art and education suggest she intends her legacy to persist beyond her time in public office.

Notable Quotes

While Karen Pence is more reserved than many public figures, a few statements reflect her values and perspective:

• On art therapy:

  “Art therapy is changing lives … it is saving lives.”

• On returning to teaching:

  “I’m excited to be back in the classroom and doing what I love to do, which is to teach art to elementary students.”

• On service and calling: (from her memoir)

  When It’s Your Turn to Serve: Experiencing God’s Grace in His Calling for Your Life — the title itself suggests the interplay of duty, faith, and timing in public life.

These quotes underscore her belief in creative healing, dedication to her work, and her sense of calling beyond public titles.

Lessons from Karen Pence

1. Stay grounded in your calling. Though she held high-profile roles, Karen often returned to her roots in teaching and art.

2. Use your platform quietly and purposefully. She didn’t seek spotlight for its own sake, but used her position to amplify causes she believed in.

3. Creativity can be a form of service. Her work in art therapy and education underscores how art can aid healing and growth.

4. Faith and values can anchor public life. Her beliefs informed many of her decisions and public stands.

5. Balance influence with humility. She illustrates how one can be influential without becoming overtly political or flamboyant.

Conclusion

Karen Pence is more than “the Second Lady.” She is a teacher, artist, advocate, mother, and person of faith who chose to use her public role to highlight often-overlooked areas like art therapy and creative education. Her life suggests that service can come through quiet consistency and the blending of one’s gifts with public responsibility.