ON ROGERS: Floral silk faille sleeveless dress by Oscar de la Renta (price on request). Available at Ikram, 873 North Rush Street, Chicago, 312-587-1000; ikram.com. Shoes by Louis Vuitton (price on request). Louis Vuitton, 5481-C Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 301-654-1101. Narciso Collection faceted smoky quartz set in 18k rose-gold earrings by Pomellato ($4,425). Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 2051 International Drive, McLean, Virginia, 703-761- 0700. Floral silk faille sculpted-back coat by Oscar de la Renta, Rogers’ own. Available at Ikram, SEE ABOVE. ON JARRETT: Silk-blend dress by Max Mara (price on request). Max Mara, 5471-F Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 301-656-0581. Necklace by Lanvin (price on request). Visit lanvin.com. Shoes by Manolo Blahnik (price on request). Available through special order from Manolo Blahnik, 212-582-3007. Collette chair from Darryl Carter Collection for Thomasville (price on request). Visit thomasville.com.

The photo shoot was a celebratory hour of two longtime friends engaging in a rare slow moment during a very serious time for our country. Rogers teased Jarrett about being taller than her when Jarrett posed on the steps above her on the staircase. "Don't get used to this, chickie," Rogers joked. But what's at the core of their relationship is trust in each other, in the Obamas, and in the country. You get the sense they wake up every day and say, "Bring it on America, we can take it."

On Friendship, Focus, and the Future

"I have known Valerie for a very long time. We are very different, but fundamentally the same," Rogers says. "We have the same values, the same desire to do excellent work and to help others." The Obama campaign and presidency have brought them together for a common goal. "We have a very strong foundation in our relationship. We've been through a lot together and trust is really not an issue; it is built. No one can disrupt that foundation," Rogers adds. "And we have great fun together. Valerie is more conservative than I am, to some extent, and I'm like, ‘Come on, let's try this!'"

"I admire her extraordinary ability to keep a thousand balls up in the air at one time and never let one even come close to the ground," Jarrett says about Rogers. "She is very organized and disciplined, and yet she has this incredible spirit for fun and innovation. She has been a breath of fresh air to the social secretary's office. She uses it not only as an opportunity to have events in the White House, but she connects the events to the values and philosophy of the president and the first lady." Jarrett describes Rogers as the best friend she could possibly have, and is quick to praise her for what she calls a combination of intellect, wit, creativity, and an inclusive spirit.

Jarrett and Rogers both also consider President and Mrs. Obama among their dear friends. "Our friendship is based on having known each other for a long time and understanding each other," Jarrett says. "I know their priorities, I know their values, I understand why they're here. So I think it actually helps me serve them better to be their friend—for them and for our country." Jarrett finds their friendship a source of comfort and camaraderie. "It's nice to have friends who understand what you're going through firsthand because they're right there living the experience with you," she adds.

Being a welcoming host and making those around you comfortable are the hallmarks of the perfect first lady, and these are things Rogers says Michelle Obama does with aplomb. "The warmth is just overflowing and it's not an act; it's who they are, it's what they believe, what they think is right," Rogers says. "I feel that same way, too. So we're always in sync about what I call ‘the guest experience'—how people should feel and be treated once they're in the White House."

Michelle Obama shares the president's values, his love of America, and his commitment to public service. She also understands her role as first lady and the serious responsibility that comes with it. "She's a role model," Jarrett adds. "She connects with people in a very down-to-earth way and has a way of making people feel instantly comfortable." Meeting the first lady can be somewhat intimidating, but she puts people at ease "with a very simple gesture: She pays attention to people. She reads them well and is a good judge of people."

President Obama has a singular focus on what's important to the American people, never allowing himself to be distracted. "Any decisions he makes, from the time he gets up in the morning until the time he goes to bed at night, are all measured by whether or not they are in the best interest of the American people," Jarrett says. "He always says, ‘Let's do what's right, let's make decisions that are fair and consistent with our values and consistent with strengthening our country, regaining our footing on the global stage,'" she says.

Through highs and lows over the 24 years of their friendship, and now with the enormous challenges he faces both at home and abroad, Jarrett says President Obama always maintains an even temperament. "He does not govern out of emotion, never out of anger. He has the ability to remove the drama from every situation and return to that focus on the American people," Jarrett says. "I've seen him make decisions that are putting the American people first and what's right first. That's hard to do when emotions run as high as they do as president; the implications of his decisions are enormous. And yet he always returns to that strength and courage to say, ‘What is really right here?' And that's what I think we want in a president."

Jacket ($3,520) and skirt ($2,100), both by Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton, 5481-C Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 301-654-1101. Shell by Jockey (price on request). Visit jockey.com. 18k baroque South Sea pearl necklace with pavé diamond sections by Boone & Sons ($950). Boone & Sons, 1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, 202-785-4653. Earrings, bracelet, and ring, Jarrett's own. Valerie Jarrett in the atrium of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Internationally known for its historical and modern American works, the Corcoran was founded in 1869 as Washington's fi rst and largest non-federal museum of art. Also among its collections are photography, sculptures, European paintings, and decorative arts. Currently on display through July 12 is "Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes," an installation by this artist-architect exploring landscapes during heightened environmental awareness.

A Day in the Life of VALERIE JARRETT

Jarrett was born in Shiraz, Iran, where her father worked as a pathologist and geneticist and ran a hospital for children to jump-start healthcare efforts in developing countries. Her family lived in Iran until she was five, then spent a year in London before settling in Chicago when she was six. Jarrett has a rich family history: Her great-grandfather was the first African American to graduate from MIT; her grandfather was the first African American to head the Chicago Housing Authority; and her father was the first African-American resident at St. Luke's Hospital. With this legacy came some wonderful opportunities for Jarrett, as well as a sense of responsibility that has created a desire to perform public service.

"I feel very fortunate to come from a family that through multiple generations has been very supportive of the next generation," Jarrett says. "My parents were able to pay for my education, and that allowed me to go to the best schools in the country. They value education and they sacrificed to pay for mine. With that gift came a sense of responsibility that they instilled in me." Jarrett, who has a BA from Stanford University and a JD from the University of Michigan Law School, says they never forced her in any one direction, just gave her unconditional love with expectations that inspired her to do her best. "I knew I had this opportunity and so I could go whatever direction I wanted to. It was far more an immense relief rather than a pressure," Jarrett says. "I knew I had their support and their love. There was an expectation that I was going to find something I cared passionately about."

The move to Washington, DC, was a big change for Jarrett, but one she welcomed. "Chicago is a big city, but in a lot of ways it's like a small town. Having deep roots in the city made it very difficult to leave," Jarrett says. "But everyone here [in Washington] has been warm and welcoming and inclusive. There hasn't been a person I've met who hasn't said, ‘Welcome to Washington,' and you get the feeling they actually mean it. I thought it would be hard to feel a sense of belonging, but I do feel comfortable. That's an area I'm surprised about."

As President Obama's senior adviser as well as assistant to the president for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison, from day to day Jarrett tackles an ambitious agenda set by the president. "My job is to help, with the rest of the team, to implement the president's priorities," she says. "And then we also respond to the deluge of people who want to engage with the administration and have their own issues and concerns that they want to raise. So I'm there to listen, and to learn, and to engage, and to then help take all those great ideas and feed them into the appropriate place in the administration."

"My day would be enhanced greatly if I had a pair of roller skates," she jokes, "so I could move around a little more swiftly than I do."

A wide range of people—from artists and creative folks for Rogers' events to corporate CEOs, governors, mayors, and everyday Americans for Jarrett's agenda—have entered the White House in the few short months of the Obama administration. "We have literally hundreds of groups on track to come in [in the next few months]. We have hundreds of people every week," says Jarrett. "The goal of our office is to be the gateway for engaging elected officials at the state and local level as well as a wide range of constituencies from across the country. The Obama campaign and now his presidency are rooted in a grassroots strategy of giving people a sense of ownership in their government again."

From day one, of course, the focus has been on stimulating the economy, and then addressing other important issues: "We want to regain our international reputation for being a first-class country in terms of education, energy policy, healthcare, and having a strong economy," Jarrett says.

The day of the photo shoot, Jarrett kicked off a healthcare summit that brought together representatives from the business, insurance, and medical communities as well as impacted individuals to discuss ideas for improving access to healthcare in America. It also included members of Congress who will be ultimately responsible for improving healthcare with legislation that tackles the issues of exorbitant costs and uneven quality and coverage. This summit "is really an example of the kind of engagement the president believes in and that my department is responsible for fostering," Jarrett says. She notes that regional healthcare summits will continue around the country and in the White House with the goal of moving forward on a healthcare agenda expeditiously. "In order for our country to obtain long-term economic stability, we have to tackle the looming costs of healthcare," Jarrett says.

"There's not a day that goes by that we're not struck by the magnitude of the challenges that face our country and the world," she says. "From the economy to healthcare to education—something that's always been a passion of mine—to the energy crisis, reducing dependence on foreign oil. You name it, there's a lot going on now."

Jarrett tells her friends that she's happier than she's ever been before in her life. "No way I could have been appropriately prepared for the absolute splendor of working in the White House," she continues. "I've always held the White House in such high esteem my whole life. The sense of pure awe that you feel—when you come through the gates and you know that's your workplace—is much better than I could have imagined it would be. There's not a day that goes by where I don't stop and look at a piece of art, or walk up the path when the building is lit, and just marvel that this could be happening to me."

Coat by Louis Vuitton ($3,370). Louis Vuitton, 5481-C Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 301-654-1101. Custom-designed 14k yellow-gold ikecho freshwater pearl and diamond earrings by Jorge Adeler ($7,900). Adeler Jewelers, 772-E Walker Road, Great Falls, Virginia, 703-759-4076. D'orsay pump with bow detail by Christian Louboutin ($895). Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, 5300 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 202-363-2059. Desirée Rogers in the rotunda of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. On display is Rob Fischer's They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Handmade from found industrial materials and referencing fi shing boats in his native Minnesota, Fischer's sculpture displays both tradition and transience.

A Day in the Life of DESIRÉE ROGERS

hile Jarrett and Rogers look to the future and what they can do to improve the lives of Americans, they also reflect on where they've been and what life lessons they can tap into to keep them on course. They are both extremely accomplished women—Rogers is a well-known socialite and business executive in Chicago, where she ran Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas before becoming an executive at Allstate Financial last year; Jarrett is a former chief of staff for Mayor Richard Daley in Chicago and president and CEO of the Habitat Company as well as a longtime mentor to the Obamas—and can pull from their aspirations and achievements for their new roles. "I have had a list for my life, but I think I'm right there at that cusp. I feel like everything I've done up until this point has prepared me for the work I'm doing now," Rogers says.

Rogers, who grew up in New Orleans, draws inspiration from her family, especially her mother and grandmother, who together started a day-care center in the '60s after realizing that working mothers needed a place—"a grandmotherly place"—for their children to be cared for as they would be at home. Her father, who was a teacher and coach as well as a city councilman, inspired her with his drive for excellence and emphasis on education and networking. "He was a great collector of people from all walks of life," says Rogers, who has an MBA from Harvard Business School.

While Rogers and Jarrett have different roles within the White House, they both have common goals and plenty of help with scheduling and organizing their long workdays. "We are trying to do different types of things that can leave imprints in people's minds and show them how we can be our very best with some of the simplest things," Rogers says about her role as White House social secretary.

Rogers plans a steady stream of events, which so far has ranged from concerts to a governors' dinner. They had 33 events in the first five weeks of the administration. Rogers invited the presidents of renowned musical institutions from across the country to the presentation of the Library of Congress's Gershwin prize to Stevie Wonder. Rogers wanted to thank them for the hard work they're doing with students nationwide "and hopefully [have them] go back to their institutions refreshed, rejuvenated," Rogers says. She hoped they would say: "I want the next Tony Bennett. I want the next Stevie Wonder. I am responsible in my work for nourishing geniuses."

"My wish is to have as many people as possible [take part in White House activities], some of whom I may know or know of, others I don't know of yet," Rogers says. She's currently working on an American Hero dinner, an opportunity to salute American heroes, some of whom are selected by their communities. Rogers hopes these events inspire Americans to think of things they'd like to see happen socially. "I'm hopeful that we're getting that across, that it's open. You never know what's going to happen next, in a good way," she says.

Rogers wants to help the Obamas make the White House the people's house by keeping it open to the public. As such, she honors the historical, traditional nature of events while making sure the policies of the president are integrated. The White House Easter Egg Roll was a perfect example of this because it was very family-friendly, incorporating exercise and nutrition as well as the spirit of volunteering. And using the Internet for ticket distribution allowed people around the country to participate: People from 45 states and Washington, DC, as well as local school students and military families, received tickets. "Being able to offer it across the whole United States really re-embraces our commitment to this being the people's house," Rogers says.

Along with her great spirit and energy, Rogers also brought her New Orleans-inspired motto, "Laissez les bon temps rouler," with her to Washington. "It's been part of my life all along, that it's extremely important that we are celebratory, that we do have joy in our lives. And I think it's particularly important as all of us go through difficult times," Rogers says. She also sought advice about her new role from previous social secretaries, who counseled her on everything from being prepared if Mrs. Obama is unable to attend something to how to make certain that the east and west sides of the house are reflected in balance. "With all advice, you take it and make it your own," she says.

Known for her philanthropic work in Chicago, Rogers' focus now is her work at hand. "I really am dedicated to making certain that we lay down the framework for where we want to take the White House," Rogers says. "If I can lift up the American spirit, if I can have people understand how wonderful we are as a country, that's the first step." ★