Women who have worked for and know Joe Biden are speaking up to share their experiences with Joe Biden, who has always empowered and promoted women in his office and on his team, and been a supportive and warm friend. Here are some examples: ______

“Let me state upfront that I don’t know her, but I absolutely support her right to speak her truth and she should be, like all women, believed. But her story is not mine. The Joe Biden in my picture is a close friend helping someone get through a big day, for which I will always be grateful...But a still shot taken from a video — misleadingly extracted from what was a longer moment between close friends — sent out in a snarky tweet — came to be the lasting image of that day.” Stephanie Carter, wife of the former secretary of defense, Ashton B. Carter (3/31/19, Medium)

“She did not think of it as anything. All three of my kids have known Joe their whole lives." Sen. Chris Coons on Biden during 2015 swearing in ceremony (3/30/19, Washington Post)

“I respect every woman who chooses to share her uncomfortable (and worse) experiences with men. Their perspectives must be heard and taken seriously. I have worked closely with @JoeBiden for many years. In my experience, he is warm and affectionate with women (and men). But never have I found his actions inappropriate or uncomfortable. I have always appreciated his kindness and warmth. Most importantly, I know @JoeBiden to be a dedicated ally, champion and defender of women and all of our rights. There is no one I would rather be with in a foxhole. He is one of the most decent, honorable men I have been privileged to work with.” Susan Rice, Former National Security Advisor (4/1/19, Tweet)

“You won’t read about how he’d tell male staffers and senators who were repeatedly interrupting a woman to pipe down, so he could hear what she was trying to say. You won’t read about the time another senator asked one of his female staffers to make coffee. His response, that female staffer later told me, was that he’d make the coffee instead… It’s not hard to see, time and time again, whose side he’s on. I hope he runs for president, because I’d like to see America’s women and men get to know the Joe Biden I already do.” Elizabeth Alexander, former Press Secretary to then-Senator Biden (4/1/19, Op- Ed)

“Totally agree with @ealexander332. I count the years I worked for @JoeBiden among the best of my career. He was not only a supportive boss - he was an empowering one.” Terrell McSweeney, former Senate and White House Policy Advisor and FEC Commissioner (4/1/19, Tweet)

“I'm a lifelong feminist. I mean, I was involved with trying to pass the Equal Rights Amendment here in Illinois back in the day. So I've been involved with these issues for a long time, and I -- and I know what it's like to try to combat the patriarchy, but I don't think that's Joe Biden at all. You've got the wrong person here to make that kind of allegation about, and because he's -- he is such a good guy and has been so respectful of people over the years.” Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, former Senator from Illinois (4/1/19, CNN)

"Even then [1986], Joe Biden stood out for his attitude and conduct toward women: He was devoted to his wife, Jill, and he consistently selected women for senior staff roles, treated them with respect, and gave them opportunities to blaze new trails. He never once crossed the line in dealing with me as a young woman on his team… Joe Biden is a man of fundamental decency and warmth, and when he makes physical contact -- as he often does to express a personal connection -- it reflects the genuine humanity that is one of his greatest strengths.” Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, former Deputy Secretary of Energy, NSC Official, and Biden Senate staff member (4/1/19, Press Statement)

“I have often been asked what it was like to work for the US Senate (a famously all-male environment) in the early to mid 1990s. I can happily answer that the experience was wonderful BECAUSE I was lucky enough to work for Joe Biden, who had promoted several women, including me, to leadership roles on the staff of Senate Judiciary Committee, and who treated us with respect and insisted that others do the same.” Cynthia Hogan, Former Counsel to Vice President Biden (3/31/19, Press Statement)

“I am proud to call Joe Biden a friend. He has been a leader and a champion on fighting violence against women for many years, and I have been fortunate to accompany him to events with survivors where he has listened to their stories, empathized with them, and comforted them. That's who Joe Biden is - a warm, generous individual who believes its on all of us to pay attention to women's stories and experiences. Biden started Its On Us because he believes to meaningfully change our culture, everyone - including those often left out of the conversation like college athletes and fraternity brothers - needed to be part of the movement. Joe Biden’s response that he never meant to make anyone uncomfortable and that he'll listen and learn from anyone who says otherwise is exactly the leadership we need to build a culture where women are heard and are equal.” Alyssa Milano (4/1/19, Tweet)

"The Joe Biden that I have known for 25 years is a warm and friendly human being. He didn't mean it as anything other than that. And I guess, there has never been a problem before. He's a warm, tactile person. He reaches out and touches, and it's like this and that [she touches a staffer's wrist] It's hardly sexy. So, that's not his intention, and it's a new thing that people have been affronted by it. I mean, over 25 years I've never seen that before." Sen. Dianne Feinstein (4/1/19, Interview)

“As a woman and a mother, I am happy that we are now moving into a place where people can speak their piece without fear of reprisals or repercussions. I don’t doubt Ms. Flores story, nor do I discount her feelings. I simply wish she had a broader and more accurate lens through which she could see the real Joe Biden. During that event in question, I believe that, as he always does, Joe Biden noticed a human being standing before him that was nervous and uneasy and he tried to give her comfort and confidence. Period. She may have felt differently about the interaction, and that is truly unfortunate.” Margaret Aiken, Former Press Secretary to then-Senator Biden (4/2/19, Op-Ed)

“As his statement pointed out, he gives hugs and handshakes and calls people's parents. He's very friendly and personable. I think that's a positive and that's the way he has always operated. I think he did mention that he had no intention of making anyone feel uncomfortable and is willing to listen to what people have to say. What I really want to point out is in my years, he supports strong women. He supports women in senior positions. I travelled with him a lot on planes and cars and all over the country, and I never felt uncomfortable. And I never saw him make anyone else uncomfortable. And all the work he has done on behalf of women just makes me want to say my experience with him and what I observe is very positive.” Sheila Nix, Chief of Staff to Vice President Biden, Obama for America (4/1/19, MSNBC)

“As a former staffer for @JoeBiden and also someone who works on women’s issues, I can say unequivocally that I was never uncomfortable with how he treated me or other women. He dedicated his career to women’s empowerment, safety & equality. That’s one reason why I worked for him.” Kendra Barkoff Lamy, former Press Secretary to Vice President Biden (3/30/19, Tweet)

“I have and always will #BelieveWomen, and want them to feel safe to share their stories. I have also known Joe Biden to be a champion of combatting sexual violence, and am proud of the work we have done together combatting campus sexual assault.” Tracey Vitchers, Executive Director, It's On Us (3/30/19, Tweet)

“Joe Biden is a very warm, affectionate, friendly politician... He's not somebody when you meet, he doesn't cross his arm and take a step back. He embraces people. That's who he is. The irony of talking about the #MeToo movement is that Joe Biden was working to empower women like me and other people on his staff, he was working to empower women on the Violence Against Women Act before it was a popular hashtag. So nothing… diminishes what his record shows for 45 years, respecting women, hiring women, promoting women, empowering women... The signature accomplishment of Joe Biden’s career is him fighting for women’s rights.” Claire DeMatteis, former Senior Counsel to Vice President Biden (4/1/19, MSNBC)

“Having hugged dear Joe Biden a number of times, I am 100% certain that his intentions are to show empathy, warmth & support.” Jennifer Granholm, former Governor of Michigan (4/1/19, Tweet)

"Joe and I share a lot of the same values. Every experience that I've had is one of warmth and compassion and empathy. But that's not to take away from how someone else feels." Heidi Heitkamp, former Senator from North Dakota (3/31/19, MSNBC)

“There’s a lot of things I know about Joe Biden — I’ve known him for a long time… I am sure that somebody can misconstrue something he’s done. But as much as I can know what’s in anyone’s heart, I don’t think there is bad intent on his part at all.” Mika Brzezinski (4/1/19, MSNBC’s Morning Joe)

“I think the Joe Biden has shown us, through a long career, that he cares about American families. He has served our country through his long Senate career and as Vice President. I do believe he has served us honorably...Yes, I think he is [an honorable man].” Rep. Katherine Clark (4/1/19, MSNBC’s Morning Joe)

“Joe Biden is a good, decent man. I do not believe – he has never made me feel uncomfortable once, I’ve been around him a lot… All I’m saying is that I vouch for his character, in my personal experience.” Meghan McCain, co-host, The View (4/1/19, The View)

“Over-reacting on Biden: Joe Biden pecked top of my head years ago at event where I told him afterwards I was very sorry his son Beau was ill. Biden does that with guys too… It’s how Biden expresses kindness & connection.” Alicia Mundy, former WSJ reporter and Senate investigator (4/1/19, Tweet)

“I worked for Joe Biden in 2008. He NEVER made me feel uncomfortable. In fact, I have a deep admiration for his empathy and compassion. Having said that, I believe Lucy Flores. More important, I respect her. Seems Biden does also and is willing to learn from her.” Patti Solis Doyle, Former Chief of Staff to Vice President Biden, Obama Former America (4/1/19, Tweet)

“I will start with - women should have the right and respect to voice their concerns and uneasiness in any situation. But I want to add my voice to those who have spent time with Joe Biden over many years. My chapter is much smaller than a lot of great women who have stood by his side but he has ALWAYS been polite, caring and deferential to me. He called my mother once, shocking me and her, and thanked her for raising a strong, smart and capable woman. We all express emotion in our own ways and Joe Biden’s has always been with respect and gratitude” Amanda Alpert Loveday, Former Executive Director, South Carolina Democratic Party (3/31/19, Tweet)

“My friend Stephanie Carter has something to say about that picture with Joe Biden. She's not just "that woman" or the "defense secretary's wife." An accomplished businesswoman who had an interesting day at his oath, you should read her words Directly.” Juliette Kayyem, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Intergovernmental Affairs (3/31/19, Tweet)

“Stop using this photo. Stop putting words into the mouth of another woman. Stop pushing narratives upon others. My friend Stephanie Carter spoke out because SHE is the woman with Joe Biden in this widely-circulated photo.” Erin Schrode (3/31/19, Tweet)