7 Surprising Facts About Karen Pence: The Former Second Lady’s Life As An Artist, Educator, And Philanthropist

Karen Pence, the wife of former Vice President Mike Pence, has maintained a robust and focused public life since leaving the White House in January 2021. As of December 2025, she continues to dedicate her time to long-held passions: education, the arts, and charitable work, particularly through her newly established foundation and her enduring commitment to art therapy.

Far from simply being a political spouse, Mrs. Pence is an accomplished elementary school teacher, an award-winning watercolor artist, and a dedicated advocate for mental health initiatives. Her post-Vice Presidency life is characterized by a strategic focus on philanthropy and her professional career, clearly separating her personal endeavors from her husband's ongoing political activities.

Complete Biography: The Life of Karen Sue Batten Pence

Karen Sue Batten Pence, known to the public as Karen Pence, has a deep background rooted in education and the arts, which shaped her approach to public service during her time as the Second Lady of the United States and the First Lady of Indiana. She has cultivated a reputation as a private and faith-driven figure in the political landscape.

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• Full Name: Karen Sue Batten Pence (née Batten)
• Date of Birth: November 18, 1958
• Place of Birth: Norton Air Force Base, Kansas, U.S.
• Spouse: Mike Pence (Married 1985)
• Children: Three—Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey
• Education: B.S. in Elementary Education from Butler University; M.S. in Elementary Education from Butler University (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Career Highlights: Elementary School Teacher (over 25 years), Award-Winning Watercolor Artist, First Lady of Indiana (2013–2017), Second Lady of the United States (2017–2021)
• Notable Initiatives: "Healing Arts: Art Therapy in America" (as Second Lady), The Hummingbird Charitable Foundation

Mrs. Pence met Mike Pence while she was playing guitar at a Catholic church service, and the couple married in 1985. Her professional life has always been centered on the classroom, teaching in various schools, including John Strange Elementary, Acton Elementary, and the private Immanuel Christian School in Virginia, a return to which sparked public debate in 2019. Her commitment to her faith and family remains a defining characteristic of her public profile.

The Hummingbird Charitable Foundation: A New Focus on Veterans and Military Families

Following her tenure in Washington D.C., Karen Pence launched a significant new philanthropic endeavor: The Hummingbird Charitable Foundation. This non-profit organization serves as the primary vehicle for her current charitable efforts, focusing its support on key areas that align with her long-standing interests, particularly those affecting the military community.

Supporting Veteran-Focused Charities

The foundation’s core mission is to support and empower veteran-focused charities across the United States. This commitment builds on her work as Second Lady, where she frequently traveled to military bases and advocated for military spouses and their families. The choice of the hummingbird as the foundation’s symbol is a personal one, representing joy, hope, and resilience, which she aims to bring to the lives of those the foundation serves.

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In a recent development, the foundation announced its first round of awardees, providing grants to three distinct veteran-focused non-profits. This initial cohort of beneficiaries underscores the organization's dedication to causes ranging from mental health support to career transition assistance for service members. This targeted approach allows the foundation to have a measurable impact on the lives of those who have served the nation.

The foundation’s work is a direct continuation of her advocacy for military families, a theme she highlighted during her time in the White House. Her efforts have consistently aimed at raising awareness for the unique challenges faced by military spouses, including employment difficulties and the strain of frequent relocations.

Karen Pence's Enduring Advocacy for Art Therapy

One of the most recognizable and consistent aspects of Karen Pence’s public service is her passionate advocacy for art therapy. Her initiative, "Healing Arts: Art Therapy in America," was the signature program of her time as Second Lady, and she continues to champion its importance in December 2025.

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Distinguishing Art from Art Therapy

Mrs. Pence has worked tirelessly to educate the public on the critical distinction between recreational art and professional art therapy. She emphasizes that art therapy is a distinct, evidence-based mental health profession practiced by credentialed art therapists.

Her work has focused on promoting the profession's benefits, particularly for military service members suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), children experiencing trauma, and individuals struggling with opioid addiction. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) has publicly endorsed her efforts, acknowledging the positive attention she brought to the field.

Even after leaving office, she uses her platform in speaking engagements, such as a recent appearance at Colorado Christian University, to discuss the importance of integrating art therapy into comprehensive mental health care. Her advocacy is a powerful example of a former political spouse translating a White House initiative into a long-term, personal philanthropic commitment.

The Award-Winning Watercolor Artist and Educator

Beyond her roles as a political wife and philanthropist, Karen Pence maintains a professional identity as both an educator and a fine artist. She is an accomplished watercolorist, a skill she developed after the birth of her first child.

A Career Painting Houses and Historical Buildings

Mrs. Pence’s artistic career is centered on painting portraits of homes and historical buildings, a niche she successfully cultivated before her husband's rise to national office. Her work has been showcased in various settings, and she has even used her art to raise money for charitable causes.

Her background as an elementary school teacher is another significant part of her identity. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Butler University. Her commitment to the classroom is evident in her decision to return to teaching in 2019, demonstrating a deep-seated belief in the importance of early childhood education.

In her public speaking, she often draws on her decades of experience in the classroom, sharing insights on the challenges and rewards of the education system today. This dual career—artist and educator—provides a unique and grounded perspective that resonates with many Americans, solidifying her image as a figure of substance beyond the political arena.

The Family Life and Political Stance

The Pence family life is characterized by a strong commitment to their Christian faith and a notable closeness. Karen and Mike Pence have been married for over 40 years, sharing three adult children who have occasionally joined them on the campaign trail.

In recent years, Karen Pence has drawn attention for her role in the evolving political landscape, particularly in the wake of the January 6th events and her husband's subsequent break with former President Donald Trump. Her actions, such as reportedly declining to greet Donald Trump at a recent funeral, have been interpreted by media outlets as a public display of the family's distance from the former President.

While she remains a staunch supporter of her husband, her public focus remains firmly on her charitable and professional work, providing a consistent and stable image that contrasts with the often-turbulent world of national politics. Her current activities with the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation and her art therapy advocacy clearly demonstrate a post-political path focused on service and personal passions.