Christine Jahnke, Speech Coach for Women in Politics, Dies at 57

Christine Jahnke, a communications coach who prepared Democratic women to run for office and helped others, including Michelle Obama early in her White House years, become comfortable with public speaking, died on Aug. 4, her birthday, at her home in Washington. She was 57.

Her husband, Paul E. Hagen, said the cause was colon cancer.

Ms. Jahnke (pronounced YON-key) found joy in the art of political communication on behalf of female candidates and progressive causes. She spent three decades helping women find their voice, whether in speeches, interviews or debates, and whether they were seeking office themselves or campaigning on behalf of others.

In addition to advising senators, governors, members of Congress and candidates for local office, she consulted for groups like Black Lives Matter, Planned Parenthood and Amnesty International, and events like the Million Mom March for gun control laws in 2000 and the Women’s March on Washington in 2017.

Ms. Jahnke was a backstage fixture at the previous five Democratic National Conventions as speakers rehearsed their remarks, guiding them on how to work with the teleprompter, read the audience and sharpen their message.