Bio
Karen Pence, wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, is a mother, educator, and award-winning watercolor artist. Mrs. Pence works to bring attention to art therapy and to the sacrifices made by military service members and their families.
Mrs. Pence dedicated 25 years in the classroom as an elementary school teacher before becoming the First Lady of Indiana in 2013. In her role as First Lady of Indiana, Mrs. Pence created the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation, a 501 (c)3, established with the purpose to encourage and support youth and families of Indiana. The Foundation’s board awarded over $600,000 in grants to charities throughout Indiana in three years.
As Second Lady of the United States, Mrs. Pence was committed to raising awareness and educating the public about the mental health profession of art therapy in the United States and around the world. She observed art therapy programs in the Asia Pacific region, Australia, Europe, South America, Africa, Canada, and across the United States.