Creating Lasting Legacies and Powerful Positions: A Survey History of the Roles, Traditions, Impacts and Influences of Sixteen First Ladies of the United States, from 1789-2001.
First ladies are an important element in presidential administrations and have parallel structures, as they are in a position to be leaders, have important roles, supported various causes and have tremendous influence over presidents. First ladies have developed this role from scratch, entirely since Martha Washington who built a powerful institution in the federal government. Many first ladies have sponsored programs and causes, and have been role models for the people of their times. At times, activism by these women in support of causes and policies has run afoul of social convention and ideological opposition, consistent with evolving roles and expectations for women.
Sixteen first ladies have been highly influential in creating and establishing influence and importance in United States History. The early first ladies of influence and importance include: Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, Sarah Polk, Mary Todd Lincoln, Lucy Hayes, Edith Wilson and Lou Hoover. In 1933, Eleanor Roosevelt significantly changed the role of first lady, becoming a vital facet of the presidential administration. First ladies since 1945 of authority and influence include: Bess Truman, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton. Each of these ladies have established themselves as assets to presidents, and enlarged their public role beyond serving as the unofficial White House hostess. These sixteen first ladies have taken advantage of the opportunity in their positions and created lasting legacies during their tenures as first lady.
