The role of the First Lady of the United States has evolved over the years, with each woman bringing her unique style and personality to the position. Throughout history, there have been many notable First Ladies who have made significant contributions to American society and culture.
From advocacy for social causes to fashion icons and political advisors, these women have left a lasting impact on the nation. In this article, we will explore 19 of America’s most iconic First Ladies, highlighting their achievements, challenges, and legacy.
19 of America’s Most Iconic First Ladies
19. Ellen Wilson
Ellen Wilson was Woodrow Wilson’s first wife. She served as First Lady for only one year, but she made a significant impact during that time. Even if, as she admits, she is an unambitious woman. She raised awareness for the people living in slums, which were populated primarily by black citizens, and used that awareness to help enact a federal law that established minimum housing standards in Washington, D.C. She passed away from Bright’s disease in August of 1914.
18. Louisa Adams
Louisa Adams was the first First Lady born outside the United States. She advised and served as the unofficial campaign manager for her husband, John Quincy Adams. After he was elected, Adams began to rely less on Louisa, having her assist him primarily with hosting receptions.
She was an active volunteer who worked with the Washington Female Orphan Asylums, despite her dislike for this change in function. Overall, she disliked her tenure in the White House and referred to it as a prison.
17. Lou Hoover
Lou Hoover was unique for her period in that she enjoyed traditionally “masculine” outdoor activities. She also received a degree from Stanford. As her employment with Hoover required her to traverse the globe, she honed her hosting abilities and mastered multiple languages.
She also served as an advocate for girls’ and women’s physical fitness. She also invited the Black wife of a Black U.S. congressman to the White House and was the first First Lady to speak on the radio.
16. Bess Truman
It was difficult for Bess Truman to follow in the footsteps of Eleanor Roosevelt, the previous First Lady, but she did her best. Even if she disliked the publicity that came with being the First Lady. While she counseled her spouse in private, she believed her role in public was to sit beside him in silence. As she obliterated many of her letters, it is difficult to determine precisely what she was thinking.
15. Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan, like her spouse, was a former actress. She played a crucial role in Reagan’s rise from Hollywood to the White House, but she is a controversial figure. She ordered several designer dresses without declaring them on her personal taxes (which violated the Ethics in Government Act she had vowed to uphold), ordered an expensive White House renovation, and consulted an astrologer after her husband’s attempted assassination.
While she utilized her position to raise awareness about drug abuse, the Reagan administration reduced federal funding for drug abuse programs. She stated that awareness-raising was more essential than funding.
14. Edith Wilson
Edith Wilson was Woodrow Wilson’s second wife. They had met following their respective widowhoods. World War I entirely overshadowed the traditional responsibilities of her position, despite the fact that she was a skilled hostess.
She merged her life with her husband’s to alleviate his stress, and she wielded so much influence within the White House that she was dubbed the Secret President.
13. Eleanor Roosevelt
Edith Roosevelt was President Theodore Roosevelt’s second wife. She was the first First Lady to hire a full-time, salaried social secretary. Edith also served as her husband’s unofficial advisor. She is well-known for supervising major White House renovations, including the construction of the West Wing. She also preserved the portraits and china services of previous First Ladies for posterity.
12. Laura Bush
Laura Bush, the wife of former President George W. Bush, promotes literacy programs and advocates for the global welfare of women. However, she was not as prominent as some of her predecessors in assuming political roles. After the terrorist assaults of September 11, 2001, Bush described Laura as a pillar of strength who was able to convey a calming message.
In addition, she was the first first lady to deliver a weekly radio address from the White House in 2001, speaking about the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women.
11. Barbara Bush
Barbara Bush was George H.W. Bush’s First Lady. During Bush’s presidency, she enjoyed high favorability ratings and was labeled “The National Treasure” by aides. She also visited destitute shelters and hospitals, raised awareness about AIDS, and supported programs for the elderly, as did Laura before her.
Barbara attempted to do something constructive with her office every day, despite not being directly involved in politics. She was known to be slightly less approachable in private, despite her grandmotherly and gracious public persona.
10. Rosalynn Carter
Rosalynn Carter founded and organized the official First Lady’s Office. She was also the first First Lady to employ a chief of staff with a comparable rank and salary to other West Wing personnel. She also participated in cabinet meetings and gave her spouse advice. In 1977, she traveled to Latin America as the president’s representative.
Rosalynn traveled in his stead when Carter chose to remain in Washington, D.C., to deal with the Iranian hostage crisis rather than campaign for reelection. She advocated for the rights of women and mental health issues. She is the eldest living former First Lady at 95 years old.
9. Martha Washington
Martha Washington was the first First Lady of the United States. She defined the role by hosting receptions, entertaining guests and callers, and assisting veterans and the impoverished. She rarely expressed her political views, but she did attend debates and advocate for girls’ education.
She maintained a tradition of reading the newspaper aloud to her spouse and discussing its contents. Nevertheless, she felt more like a state prisoner than a citizen during George Washington’s presidency.
8. Betty Ford
Betty Ford was not hesitant to address controversial issues and was recognized as a formidable force. She once stated, “I do not believe my position as First Lady should prevent me from expressing my opinions.” She discussed individuals receiving psychiatric counseling, advocated for equal rights for women, suggested premarital sex reduced divorce rates, and supported the Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court.
Betty did suffer from alcohol and substance addiction, but she was able to complete a treatment program successfully. She co-founded the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse as a result.
7. Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson advocated for working women and encouraged her husband to appoint women to government positions. She advocated for the removal of distracting billboards on highways and the preservation of California’s redwood trees in her efforts to beautify the nation. Regarding forests, she cherished the outdoors.
Her passion for flora led her to establish the Wildflower Center at the University of Texas. Her memoir, A White House Diary, was based on daily recordings she made in the Oval Office.
6. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Clinton has the distinction of being the only First Lady on this list who is also a presidential candidate. She is somewhat more well-known for her achievements as a member of Former President Barack Obama’s staff, but she also accomplished a great deal while her husband was in office.
She participated in policy formation and advocated for the rights of women and children in other nations. Her contribution to her husband’s administration led to frequent references to her as his co-president.
5. Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama was the nation’s first African-American first lady. In addition, she was one of the most popular first ladies in recent memory. As First Lady, she advocated for military families and LGBTQ rights and addressed issues such as childhood nutrition, exercise, and education.
She also made an effort to leave the federal bubble by attending local theater productions, her daughters’ soccer tournaments, and dinners with local friends. Not only has she appeared on talk programs, but she has also made a brief appearance on iCarly.
4. Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison’s actions during the War of 1812 are her claim to fame. Before she ultimately evacuated, she secured several government documents and a portrait of George Washington. Dolley was well-liked and frequently hosted political banquets.
She was also the first First Lady to undertake renovations of the White House. She also supported orphan welfare. During her husband’s presidency, there was a saying, “Everyone likes Mrs. Madison because Mrs. Madison likes everyone.”
3. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jackie Kennedy was an icon of fashion. She popularized pillbox headwear during her time period. She restored and renovated the White House, expanded the library’s book collection, and supported civil rights and the American Cancer Society.
She was instrumental in preserving her husband’s political and legislative legacy after his assassination, so that he would not be remembered solely for his demise. She sat for eight to ten hours and recorded interviews for an oral history of his presidency.
2. Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was the second First Lady, having been the wife of one president and the mother of another. She supported women’s independence and education. She is well-known for the numerous letters she wrote to her spouse, which provide historians with a detailed picture of her personal life at the time. Critics referred to her at the time as “Mrs. President” due to her outspokenness and influence over her spouse.
1. Theodore Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt had never desired to be the first lady. Nevertheless, she is one of the most influential First Ladies in United States history. Political adversaries frequently assailed her for her support of liberal causes, but it was this support and activism that made her so significant.
She advocated for women’s equality, low-income housing, and civil rights. She utilized her position to conduct weekly press conferences with female reporters, never avoiding the spotlight. In addition to radio appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and national travel.
- Jennifer Aniston, 54, Proudly Shows Off Her Silver Hair Roots In New Instagram Video: Watch
- Taylor Swift was ‘letting off steam’ with Matty Healy following ‘stifling’ Joe Alwyn relationship
- Leah Remini’s Battle With Scientology Through the Years: It’s ‘Truly Evil’
- Jill Duggar Says ‘I Love My Parents’ After Participating In Documentary Exposing Their Secrets
- Why Maria Shriver ‘flipped out’ when Arnold Schwarzenegger told her he was running for governor
- 17 Oversized Tops That Are Secretly Super Flattering
