America’s Greatest First Ladies

Who were America’s Greatest First Ladies?

Nobody really knows!

Today, the press and public pay great attention to the President’s spouse. However, the role of First Lady was not given so much as a moment’s thought by the Founding Fathers. In fact, the title “First Lady” itself was not even widely used until the 1850s! Nonetheless, our First Ladies represent an amazing array of accomplished women, each with a unique story and a unique place in American History.

In this original series I will present a list of my top ten favorite First Ladies.  Of course you know about the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt. But did you know that the lives of children, women, and pediatricians are made better every day in real ways by the legacy of First Lady Harriet Lane? Or that almost a century before Jackie Kennedy we had a younger First Ladywho became an icon of style in the White House while raising adorable children? (Click here to read about Frances Cleveland, pictured on the magazine cover.)

Although there are so many fascinating stories in this multimedia presentation! It is not merely a collection of trivia.  Rather we will examine how the historical roles of women have changed from the days of marvelous Martha Washington, a slave owner, to modern Michelle Obama, the descendent of slaves!