First Ladies – 1860 – 1945

First Ladies – 1860 – 1945

When Martha Washington became our first First Lady, she stepped into a roll with no job description and no precedent. She handled the position with grace and polish. however, each of the extraordinary women who served as First Lady brought something unique and different to the role.

First Ladies – 1860 – 1945

Frances Cleveland

This installment in our series on the history of the First Ladies looks at the changing roles taken on by the wives of the presidents from 1860 – 1945. We end with Eleanor Roosevelt and begin with Mary Lincoln. This is certainly a distinctive mix of personalities and aspirations! We will look at the “traditional” First Ladies who took on the role of wife and mother and shunned the spotlight. This group includes Caroline Harrison,  Ida McKinley, and Julia Grant. Frances Cleveland carved out a very different niche for herself, raising a young family while bringing glamour back to the White House. Several of the  First Ladies in this group were transformative figures. Nellie Taft, Edith Wilson and Eleanor Roosevelt were tremendously influential in their husband’s administrations. Lucy Hayes brought a new level of education to the position.

Using numerous film clips, intriguing insights,  thought provoking comparisons, and fascinating anecdotes, I will open your eyes to the very different personalities and accomplishments of the First Ladies of the 20th and 21st centuries.