First Ladies
By: Colleen | November 26, 2008 | Category: Home and Family
There is one buzzword on the lips of every person in Washington right now and it's "transition." Federal agencies are awaiting word about who will be their new boss, and those who live in the metro area are renting out their apartments to the crowds of people expected for Inauguration Day.
With so much focus on trying to predict who will be appointed to President-Elect Obama's cabinet and other key offices, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the office of the First Lady and her role.
The original traditional role of the First Lady was to act as the hostess of the White House. This has changed over time, most notably when Rosalynn Carter began sitting in on her husband's cabinet meetings. Today, First Ladies are champions for causes of their own choosing and travel the world to drum up awareness for them. Soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama seems to be leaning towards support for military families and those trying to balance work and family life. Current First Lady Laura Bush has been an avid advocate for literacy and the promotion of reading. Some First Ladies, such as Hillary Clinton, take an active role in policy-making. Mrs. Clinton was the first First Lady to have an office within the West Wing of the White House.
Not only are the modern First Ladies working to promote causes and assist their husbands, they still continue many of the traditional roles performed by the wives of the early Presidents. These include, but are not limited to: choosing menus for events, finalizing seating arrangements for state dinners, deciding on a theme for the annual Christmas decorations at the White House, and managing the daily flow of life at the private residence of the First Family.
While the Smithsonian National Museum of American History recently re-opened after major renovations, its First Ladies exhibit is still under construction. When it reopens, be sure to check it out. Containing neat items such as special dresses belonging to the First Ladies and china used during their husbands' administrations—it's one of my favorites!
Permalink
| View Comments [1]
| 
E-mail This Entry
| Tags:
Bookmark and share: 
About social bookmarking
RSS Feeds
E-mail Updates
How about Edith Bolling Galt Wilson? After President Wilson's stroke Mrs. Wilson helped President Wilson with the daily task of being President. Some historians believe that she ran ( was the President) of this country for the remainder of President Wilson's Presidency.
Thomas
Comment Permalink