A high-profile, unelected official with the political
resources to influence domestic policy, the 1 President
of the United States has a wife, known as the “First Lady,”
occupies a unique position. Many First Ladies, not content
with simply playing the role of demure wife and social
hostess, have taken an active role in the political sphere.
Even though her power comes by way of marriage, rather
than from the electorate or the Constitution, the First
Lady (or First Gentleman) has a responsibility to capitalize
on her situation and attempt to create significant, lasting
change. 2 If the President of the United States is female,
her husband’s title would be “First Gentleman.” Throughout
US history, there have been a number of influential,
politically engaged First Ladies from whom future First
Ladies or Gentlemen can take inspiration.
Abigail Adams, the second First Lady in American
History, was the first to assume 3 a protruding role
in the political sphere. Unlike her predecessor, Martha
Washington, Adams was outspoken, well-educated, and
quickly developed the reputation of a staunch partisan
defender after openly criticizing Congress for not declaring
war on France in 1798. Her influence 4 is so well-known
that opponents claimed the President refused to make any
appointments “without her approbation,” and aspiring
politicians sought her endorsement. 5 In recent years,
Adams has become a popular topic for biographers because
of her thoughts on gender, slavery, and politics.
From 1933 to 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt was
intimately involved in her husband’s domestic policies
during the tumultuous Great Depression. For example,
she spearheaded the establishment of 6 Arthurdale.
Arthurdale was a resettlement community that combined
subsistence farming and simple industry for impoverished
mine workers. After convincing her husband to bring the
project under federal authority, Roosevelt became the
unofficial project director and supported the community
through regular visits and budgetary oversight. 7
However, she became beloved by the American people, who
admired her commitment to helping those Americans most
in need.
Two decades later, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson
pushed further into the political sphere than had any
previous First Lady. She attended legislative strategy
sessions and directly interacted with Congress to garner
support for her environmental legislation. 8 Johnson
established her legacy by using her political leverage to
influence the passage of nearly two hundred environmental
laws.
Despite the important contributions these First Ladies
made to American society, 9 her activism often 10
resulted in scathing critiques: Adams was mockingly called
“Mrs. President,” Roosevelt was ridiculed in newspapers,
and a Montana billboard read “Impeach Lady Bird.” 11
Yet, as Barbara Bush, aptly noted, “The First Lady is going to
be criticized no matter what she does.” First Ladies have a
responsibility to ignore the inevitable criticism; they should
use the position to create invaluable social and political
change—as they have for centuries.
resources to influence domestic policy, the 1 President
of the United States has a wife, known as the “First Lady,”
occupies a unique position. Many First Ladies, not content
with simply playing the role of demure wife and social
hostess, have taken an active role in the political sphere.
Even though her power comes by way of marriage, rather
than from the electorate or the Constitution, the First
Lady (or First Gentleman) has a responsibility to capitalize
on her situation and attempt to create significant, lasting
change. 2 If the President of the United States is female,
her husband’s title would be “First Gentleman.” Throughout
US history, there have been a number of influential,
politically engaged First Ladies from whom future First
Ladies or Gentlemen can take inspiration.
Abigail Adams, the second First Lady in American
History, was the first to assume 3 a protruding role
in the political sphere. Unlike her predecessor, Martha
Washington, Adams was outspoken, well-educated, and
quickly developed the reputation of a staunch partisan
defender after openly criticizing Congress for not declaring
war on France in 1798. Her influence 4 is so well-known
that opponents claimed the President refused to make any
appointments “without her approbation,” and aspiring
politicians sought her endorsement. 5 In recent years,
Adams has become a popular topic for biographers because
of her thoughts on gender, slavery, and politics.
From 1933 to 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt was
intimately involved in her husband’s domestic policies
during the tumultuous Great Depression. For example,
she spearheaded the establishment of 6 Arthurdale.
Arthurdale was a resettlement community that combined
subsistence farming and simple industry for impoverished
mine workers. After convincing her husband to bring the
project under federal authority, Roosevelt became the
unofficial project director and supported the community
through regular visits and budgetary oversight. 7
However, she became beloved by the American people, who
admired her commitment to helping those Americans most
in need.
Two decades later, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson
pushed further into the political sphere than had any
previous First Lady. She attended legislative strategy
sessions and directly interacted with Congress to garner
support for her environmental legislation. 8 Johnson
established her legacy by using her political leverage to
influence the passage of nearly two hundred environmental
laws.
Despite the important contributions these First Ladies
made to American society, 9 her activism often 10
resulted in scathing critiques: Adams was mockingly called
“Mrs. President,” Roosevelt was ridiculed in newspapers,
and a Montana billboard read “Impeach Lady Bird.” 11
Yet, as Barbara Bush, aptly noted, “The First Lady is going to
be criticized no matter what she does.” First Ladies have a
responsibility to ignore the inevitable criticism; they should
use the position to create invaluable social and political
change—as they have for centuries.