Security guard Jacquelyn Brittany was standing in an elevator when she blurted “I love you” to Joe Biden. Wearing big smiles, they took a photo together, and video of the interaction went viral online.
Tuesday, in a video shown at the Democratic National Convention, she stood in what looked like the entrance to an elevator and nominated him as the Democratic Party presidential nominee.
“In the short time I spent with Joe Biden, I could tell he really saw me, that he actually cared, that my life meant something to him,” she said. “And I knew, even when he went into his important meeting, he’d take my story in there with him.”
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Former President Clinton addresses the virtual convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Caroline Kennedy, former U.S. ambassador to Japan and daughter of President John F. Kennedy, and son Jack Schlossberg speak during the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Jill Biden, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, addresses the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Former Secretary of State John F. Kerry addresses the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Joe and Jill Biden and their family celebrate after the roll call vote. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Sen. Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, right, watch as the nominating votes for Joe Biden are announced for the state of Vermont. (Associated Press)
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California delegates U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis announce the state’s vote for Joe Biden. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Mark Pringle announces the Kansas roll call vote for Joe Biden. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Joe Biden and Kamala Harris appear on a video feed at the start of the second day of the Democratic National Convention. (Getty Images)
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) addresses the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Alitama Sotao of American Samoa addresses the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Democratic delegates from Indiana, including former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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Rachel Prevost of Montana announces the state’s nominating votes for Joe Biden. (Associated Press)
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Delegate Cozzie Watkins announces North Carolina’s votes for Joe Biden. (Associated Press)
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Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), left, and Ray Curry announce the nominating votes for Joe Biden for the state of Michigan. (Associated Press)
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Joe Biden appears on a screen as Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett opens the second night of the Democratic National Convention. (Getty Images)
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Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) addresses the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
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A man cleans the lectern between speakers during the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. (Getty Images)
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Actress and activist Tracee Ellis Ross addresses the convention. (DNCC via Getty Images)
Brittany was escorting the former vice president to a meeting with the editorial board of the New York Times when they met; the video went viral in January. On Tuesday, she called him her friend. She was identified by her first and middle names, according to the Washington Post, which first reported she would appear.
She noted that she meets important people all the time who head straight from the airport to their meetings. But Biden was someone who had room in his heart for someone other than himself, she said. In a video of their interaction, Jacquelyn tells Biden he is her favorite. The two later take a selfie together.
“We’ve been through a lot. And we have tough days ahead. But nominating someone like that to be in the White House is a good place to start,” she said before officially nominating Biden.