Usha Vance Praises Melania Trump as a “Role Model” While Continuing Her Summer Reading Challenge
Second Lady Usha Vance expressed admiration for First Lady Melania Trump during her visit to Cherokee Classical Academy in Canton, Georgia, where she continued promoting her 2025 Summer Reading Challenge. When asked about Mrs. Trump’s recent “peace letter” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ms. Vance described the First Lady as both a “role model” and a “trailblazer.” She particularly commended Mrs. Trump’s dedication to children’s welfare, saying, “I have admired her approach to a lot of things, but at the top of the list, she really does care about children.” Ms. Vance emphasized that whenever Mrs. Trump uses her platform to advocate for children’s safety and well-being, “it’s a good thing.” While not planning a similar diplomatic initiative herself at present, the Second Lady noted her admiration for Mrs. Trump’s pioneering approach.
The peace letter in question was hand-delivered to President Putin ahead of the U.S.-Russia summit with President Donald Trump in Alaska. In this heartfelt message, Melania Trump appealed to Putin’s humanity and his potential role in safeguarding children globally. “Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born randomly into a nation’s rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger,” Mrs. Trump wrote. She emphasized the universal responsibility that parents and leaders share in nurturing the next generation, stating that “we must strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all — so that every soul may wake to peace, and so that the future itself is perfectly guarded.” The letter acknowledged the innocence of children that transcends “geography, government, and ideology,” highlighting how this purity deserves protection regardless of national boundaries.
The First Lady’s message continued with poignant observations about children living in challenging circumstances, noting that “in today’s world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them — a silent defiance against the forces that can potentially claim their future.” She directly called upon Putin to take action, writing, “Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter.” Mrs. Trump suggested that by protecting children’s innocence, the Russian leader would serve not just his own country but “humanity itself.” She concluded her appeal with a powerful statement: “Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr. Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time.” The letter represents a significant diplomatic gesture from the First Lady, using her platform to advocate for peace and the protection of children worldwide.
Meanwhile, Usha Vance has been actively advancing her own initiative focused on children’s development through the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, which began in June. This program encourages American schoolchildren to read throughout the summer months, track their reading progress, and enjoy the numerous benefits that come from regular reading habits. During her visit to Cherokee Classical Academy, Ms. Vance engaged directly with the students, reading Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Paul Revere’s Ride” to an audience of approximately 200 young learners before taking their questions. Her school visit was comprehensive, including time spent observing writing and mathematics lessons across three different classrooms, demonstrating her commitment to understanding the full educational experience of the students she aims to inspire.
Throughout her time at the school, the Second Lady greeted dozens of students, taking the opportunity to connect personally with the young people her reading initiative targets. This hands-on approach reflects a genuine investment in children’s education and development, mirroring the child-focused advocacy she praised in Melania Trump. Ms. Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge continues until September 5th, giving students across the country the remainder of the summer to participate and benefit from the program. By promoting literacy during the summer months, when many children experience a decline in reading skills known as the “summer slide,” the Second Lady’s initiative addresses a critical educational need while encouraging lifelong reading habits.
The parallel efforts of both Melania Trump and Usha Vance highlight how the spouses of national leaders can leverage their unique positions to advocate for children’s welfare in different but complementary ways. While Mrs. Trump’s peace letter represents international diplomacy with children’s interests at heart, Ms. Vance’s reading challenge focuses on direct educational impact within American communities. Both women demonstrate how the traditional role of presidential and vice-presidential spouses has evolved to include meaningful advocacy work that can potentially shape both policy and public attitudes toward children’s wellbeing. As Ms. Vance continues her summer reading tour and Mrs. Trump engages in international diplomacy, their efforts underscore the significant influence that first and second ladies can wield in promoting causes that transcend political divisions and focus on the shared value of nurturing future generations.
