From Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump, America's First Ladies Who Made History
Presidents' wives have at times played an important role in their political careers. Some of them tried to be more than just a White House host.
The wives of US presidents have played important roles in their husbands' political careers many times. Some of them tried to be more than a mere hostess of the White House, positioning themselves as strong defenders of social causes, championing campaigns or creating their own foundations away from the government. This is a review of some of these figures.
Melania Trump (2016-present)
Melania Trump never wanted her husband to be president. She emigrated to the United States to be a model and ended up paired with the tycoon Donald Trump who in November 2016 was elected to occupy the 45th position on the list of US presidents and that next November 3 his re-election is at stake against Democrat Joe Biden. During her stay in the White House, Melania has promoted some social initiative, such as the fight against opiates or cyberbullying of minors. An initiative, the latter, that has generated numerous criticisms in the country at this time by contrasting with the inflammatory tone of her husband on social networks, where he usually lashes out, insults included, against his critics.
Unlike her predecessor Michelle Obama and other first ladies, Melania Trump has made headlines more for her controversies than for her actions. Her serious looks, her immobile face or withdrawing her hand from her husband's in public on many occasions are some of the reasons for the criticism from the press, although it is undoubtedly the misguided styling chosen for some occasions that has called the most. attention. From wearing a 46,000 coat on a trip to Italy to climbing into heels to go to the area affected by Hurricane Harvey, to the unfortunate message on her jacket - "I really don't care, do you?" - visiting a shelter for immigrant children, some of them separated from their parents by Donald Trump's zero tolerance policy.
Michelle Obama (2008-2016)
Michelle Obama was not a typical first lady. This lawyer and activist knew how to make her naturalness and her charisma her best tool to become an icon since she stepped on the White House with her husband and father of her two daughters, Barack Obama. Even after her departure, Michelle Obama remains almost an emblem, focused on numerous social causes such as the fight against obesity or the education of girls around the world.
Hilary Clinton (1993-2001)
During her time in the White House with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary focused especially on health reform. An office was set up in the west wing of the White House, in addition to having the spaces in the east wing for the first ladies since World War II. Her political involvement was such that she became Secretary of State, New York Senator and Democratic candidate in the 2016 elections, which she lost precisely against Donald Trump.
Barbara Bush (1989-1993)
Barbara Bush, wife of George H. W. Bush, promoted literacy and launched the Barba Bush Foundation to encourage children's reading and learning from an early age. She achieved the approval of the National Literacy Law in 1991 and during her stay in the White House she carried out numerous volunteer tasks in favor of various social issues. Today she remains one of the most admired women in America.
Nancy Reagan (1981-1989)
When she became first lady in 1981, Nancy Reagan was criticized for leading a costly renovation of the White House, but later became a figure much loved by thousands of Americans. Focused on combating drug abuse and her fight for Alzheimer's research, Nancy Reagan was for many the most influential first lady of the United States inside and outside the country.
Rosalyn Carter (1977-1981)
Former President Jimmy Carter's wife focused her efforts on mental health. Rosalyn used her role as First Lady to expose the importance of mental illness and other disorders. Thanks to her efforts, she was able to get several laws passed to improve the centers dedicated to dealing with these types of diseases and to break the stigma that accompanied these problems.
Betty Ford (1974-1977)
Married to former Republican President Gerald Ford, Betty was a progressive woman and a passionate advocate for equal rights under the law and promoted gender equality, gay rights, free abortion, and the use of marijuana. After Gerald Ford left the presidency, his wife founded the Betty Ford Center to treat substance abuse and addiction to reduce social stigma. A former department store model and dancer in America's oldest dance company before becoming first lady, she also popularized breast cancer awareness by announcing her mastectomy.
Lady Bird Johnson (1963-1969)
During the term of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Claudia Taylor Johnson, better known as Lady Bird Johnson, worked for the protection and preservation of the environment and got Congress to pass the Lady Bird Johnson Act, a regulation for the beautification of highways . A pioneer of environmentalism, she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fill Washington with natural gardens and replace road signs. The former first lady was always considered a good influence on her husband. In fact, when Johnson became the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1960, The New York Times claimed, "Lyndon could never have done this without the help of that woman."
Jackie Kennedy (1961-1963)
In addition to being an icon of style and representing almost the totem of elegance, Jackie Kennedy can boast of being one of the first ladies who brought the White House the closest to the people thanks to the televised tour she made through the different rooms of the White House, which she herself was in charge of restoring and redecorating. Heritage has always interested her, being a fervent defender of the conservation of historical assets
Eleanor Roosevelt (1933-1945)
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was a woman with a marked past that left her mark in the United States and in the history of the struggle for equality, for the social cause and politics. They called her "the first lady of the world" because she believed in her dreams and in the future, despite the crises. The wife of the thirty-second president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the first to be elected four times, starred in one of the most difficult moments for the United States due to the Great Depression of 29. She participated in the shadow of interventionist politics that her husband encouraged to support the poorest layers of the population and carried out social programs without ceasing to fight for women's rights. Her role in history did not end with the death of her husband in 1945. She was also president of the commission that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, approved by the United Nations three years later.
Dolley Madison (1809-1817)
Wife of the fourth US President James Madison, Dolley emerged as the role model for her 19th century successors, serving as an excellent hostess at White House parties, caring for the decorations of the official residence, and providing insightful advice to her husband . In fact, her wise actions contributed to raising her popularity and she is still considered one of the most beloved first ladies today.
