Evolution of the First Lady Presentation
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Presentation from the Midwest Pop Culture Conference, October 2014.
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Evolution of the First Lady Presentation
- 1. Allison R Levin MA, JD FROM HOSTESS TO POLITICAL SURROGATE: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES
- 2. Understand how the role of the first lady has evolved using Discourse Tracing Evaluate how societal norms and changing gender roles were related to and interacted with the changing norms of the job Start with Eleanor Roosevelt which marks the beginning of the evolution of the role of first lady Prior to 1933 first lady was non-essential From this uninspiring beginning modern first ladies developed their role in society Discourse Tracing allowed an understanding of how first ladies reflect societal concepts about family, motherhood and femininity RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
- 3. Began to push the job forward as cultural norms of femininity were changing Worked under rubric of social housekeeping During this period the first ladies helped show American women how they could participate in the political sphere while still meeting societal norms of being a good spouse and homemaker Early modern first ladies helped transform the role from mother of the country to an activist voice of national consequence Three first ladies stand out in influencing change: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy and Lady Bird Johnson EARLY MODERN FIRST LADIES (1933- 1968)
- 5. Came of age during the progressive movement Like many women of the period she became even more active during WWI As first lady she continued with her prior activism but only focused on projects that could help her husband Met societal norms by participating in the political sphere while still being a good spouse and homemaker The progressive movement values are seen through two major changes she made to the position of the first lady Hold regular press conference Inviting non-traditional groups to the White House She did not break with traditional wifely duties Explained her job as selling her husband’s ideas to the people ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
- 7. Straddled the period between progressivism and feminism Used her education and background to actively help her husband Kennedy and Camelot became symbols of a refined way of life She represented what the American housewife of the early 60s wanted to be: young, beautiful and glamorous with two model children and a doting husband She spoke up for what she wanted but had no interest in politics Brought the first lady into the culture of the world From this point forward first lady fashion and appearances where part of the cultural lexicon JACQUELINE KENNEDY
- 9. Despite her appearance of independence she was still a product of an era where women needed the help of men to succeed Had a successful career outside of being first lady Turned being a congressional wife into a full-time job calling on contacts and politicking daily Became the political first lady for Kennedy and ushered in a new age of feminism where equality seemed possible for all people When first lady she ushered in a new age of activism through her conversation program Not content to sit on sidelines When bill passed, LBJ publically stated that she did all the work LADY BIRD JOHNSON
- 10. This era coincides with the start of the sexual revolution, women’s liberation and second-wave feminism The women who became first ladies came to maturity during the era of the equal rights amendment and sexual freedom These women had careers prior to their husbands seeking political office It wasn’t until this time period that a job description for the first lady was explored Three women were influential in expanding the role of the first lady by exemplifying the move towards gender equality and marriage as a partnership: Betty Ford, Rosalyn Carter and Hillary Clinton MODERN FIRST LADIES (1968-1990)
- 11. BETTY FORD
- 12. Known for being outspoken and in tune with times Embraced as a modern woman who insisted on speaking her mind about the world she and everyone else was living in Changed cultural norms by being the first lady to discuss her health in a public speech and opening a dialogue about a previously taboo topic She stepped out from behind the President with her own issues that were not part of the political agenda Lobbied for controversial issues that were too politically volatile to be discussed by the President She refused to temper her opinions to placate the experts in her husband’s office BETTY FORD
- 13. ROSALYN CARTER
- 14. While first lady of Georgia led the charge to reform mental health institutions When they entered the White House it was as equal partners Rosalyn is considered the first first lady to make a campaign promise Felt it was her duty to oversee the commission on Mental Health when her husband issued an executive order to establish the commission The same day the Office of Legal Counsel issued a statement forbidding Rosalyn from serving as chair Report concluded that first ladies have long been advocates of Government programs in which they were interested without assuming a political role Ignored mandates and opened the door for a first lady who was a political actor in her own right ROSALYN CARTER
- 15. HILLARY CLINTON
- 16. Bill spoke of her as political equal and once elected Hillary had to find a place within the Clinton administration that fit her political ambitions She was appointed chair of the task force on health care and asked to have a plan ready for Congress within the first 100 days The task force met in private which lead to health care advocacy groups to file suit As the litigation dragged on throughout the bulk of the first term, Hillary’s approval ratings plummeted and she removed herself from politics until her senate run in 2000. The decision which came out after she had removed herself from politics changed the office of the first lady forever Monica Lewinsky also showed how role had changed in public eyes HILLARY CLINTON
- 17. 2016
Notes de l'éditeur
- No official title or name– we refer to Martha Washington as a first lady, but in fact she was just a spouse…lady of the house-- Title did not evolve until mid 19th century…credited Zachary Taylor – at Dolly Madison’s funeral in his eulogy call her “truly our first lady for half a century” Role of first lady is molded by society and her own beliefs
- Continuing need to juggle homemaker with social activism Social housekeeping Couched activism in the traditional role of first mother- concerned with heath and morality---nation’s children Ladies work included charity- care for family and their larger community
- Mobilizing through formal groups to challenge working conditions, unfair wages and societal injustices At 18 active in Junior League- improve conditions of settlement houses and taught young girls Active in consumer league working to improve conditions in sweatshops WWI- volunteer work with Red Cross and Navy Relief society Following war became involved in suffrage movement to get women involved in politics Press conferences- first first lady to hold press conferences—only allowed female reporters to attend. Did so because news agencies had closed their doors to women. In addition had a daily newspaper column which lifted the curtain on the White House and spoke directly to women. Invitations- not the job of first lady. Sought out young female students, women’s organization, etc. The president and his advisors quickly learned that by letting her take the lead, he was protected politically Did not create any new movements, she embraced movements in place and helped bring them to the common people.
- Although much different than Eleanor Roosevelt and the the ladies who served in the interim, Jackie marks the next major change in the office of the first lady Disinterested in politics she moved the role from supporter and activist (as established by Eleanor) to also be a part of the grand world scene
- Attended the best schools as the progressive movement had sought. At George Washington University excelled in writing. After graduation, like many feminists who would follow her, Jackie sought a full time job. Wrote for Washington Times and began moving up corporate ladder. Despite career success, she like many women of her generation was looking for a good husband. In fact she quit her job the day after she got engaged. Helped him with speech writing, public speaking and reforming his image and style to seem more likeable on television and in pictures Even those with different political views followed the social life of the white house closely- she remodeled it into a modern fashionable residence- and created the guidebook to the White House that still helps fund the White House. Made the white house parties the place to be- all grew her reputation and her husbands in American and abroad
- Lady Bird like Jackie grew up in the progressive movement, but she was extremely focused on her education. Sought best education available and went to UT-Austin because it was coeducation. She leaned more towards the second wave feminists that would follow, often chiding her friends who were in school for a Mrs. Degree.
- Ran LBJs congressional office when he was serving in WWII. She did such a good job it was believed she could be elected over her husband Inherited money and bought a radio station in Austin. Through her business acumen she became on the most powerful persons (male or female) in Austin owing singularly rather than jointly radio and television stations and land. The LBJ ranch- actually Lady Bird Johnson. She controlled the families money and made most of the important monetary decisions When Kennedy was running for President, she traveled more than 35,000 miles making solo appearances in 11 states. When Kennedy was fighting for Civil rights movement, she took a solo trip through the hotbeds of racism in her native south Also called beautification program—seemed no different than other causes first ladies promoted- participated in legislative and lobbying strategy with White House staff- first first lady- LBJ statement- signaled to America that the times where changing and women could achieve the same political achievements as men
- Saw the role of wife differently than their predecessors- more families were dual-earners, women were taking career jobs, not just jobs until they were married These independent women were pushing up against the societal norms of what a first lady was supposed to act and sound like—previous era opened the door to both the women being campaigners and politically active, but also being part of the media discussion
- Credited with single-handedly transforming the country’s perception of what it meant to be the first lady of the US
- Publically supported the equal rights amendments, women’s choice via abortion In a 60 minutes interview she showed how in tune she was with the times (and caused controversy) when she stated that she expected her children to have premarital sex and if she was younger she would try marijuana. ERA and Roe v. Wade She sent the message to the nation that she had her own beliefs not just those of her husband- and the nation responded favorably. Still seen in first ladies, most notably Laura Bush. In Sept 74 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. U[p into this time, first lady health information was not publically available and no fist lady had ever spoken about her health in a public speech. Immediately after surgery she released a statement detailing her illness, the surgery and her plan for treatment. She was embraced by feminists for taking a lead on social change, but respected by society as a whole for being honest. By coming out with her diagnosis, opening a dialogue and encouraging women to take control by being tested, it is estimated that millions of women took control of their own sexual and reproductive health and got exams. Her outspoken nature pushed up against and expanded the prior norms of how to act as first lady. Following her term it was expected of first ladies to have a cause and a mind of their own.
- Less liberal than Betty Ford in many respects, she was raised to speech her mind. She was always an equal partner in her marriage and from the time they got married ran the financial side of their peanut business Believed strongly in family activism and they pursued politics together.
- This success is considered the greatest legacy from his term as governor. He never minded telling everyone that the accomplishment wall all Rosalyn’s Their marriage was in line with modern views of marriage. Jimmy referred to his wife as his partner Coming off her huge victory in GA- while campaigning she promised to evaluate and reform America’s mental heath institutions OLC- grounds cited were nepotism. The ruling stated that the commission needed detachment from the President. They said that she should have no formal authority of duties. So although the President and those that elected him supported her campaign promise, the government was not ready to have a first lady with so much political power. It was suggested she take a honorary title and she accepted because of her promise to the people. Although it was seen as behind the times, the ruling is actually the first formal statement about the role of the first lady and as such, is historic. Rosalyn still made appointments, presided over meetings, lobbied throughout congress and testified before the Labor and Human Relations Committee. Through her “informal” role she was recognized as being the force behind the bill passing
- Hillary was the first baby boomer first lady. She had been at Wellesy at the height of the civil rights movement, was a dedicated feminist and had her own career which kept as Bill moved up in Arkansas politics. She kept it until Bill became governor in 1978 and it was deemed a conflict of interest for her to continue practicing law. She made it clear that she could never be a housewife, so Bill appointed her to chair the Arkansas Rural Health Advisory Committee and President Carter appointed her to the Federal Legal services Corporation. Although Bill and she were happy about her ability to juggle her political obligations, her role as mother and her duties as first wife of Arkansas, when Bill was not reelected, the blame was placed on Hillary. His constituents were suspicious of her independence and her openly liberal views– Clinton seen as moderate. It was also pointed out that she had never taken his name and went by Hillary Rodham. When Bill ran again for reelection, Hillary quietly changed her name and vowed to take a traditional spousal role. However once he was reelected governor Bill put her in charge of the education reform task force. Once again putting her at odds with his moderate and conservative constituents…however Bill’s overwhelming popularity rating allowed the move without further discussion
- Hillary and Bill campaigned together as “Buy one, get one free” despite warnings from democrats and republicans alike that America had just accepted an equal partnership and was not ready for a political partnership She began by legitimizing the office. Moved it into the West Wing with an office above the Oval Office. Hired a large staff. Insisted that she was fully integrated into the Presidential staff. Her chief of staff was named an assistant to the President and attended daily staff meetings. Despite warnings that she needed to be conscious of how she was perceived as a wife, mother and mother of the country, she never quite grasped these various roles during her first term When accepted appointment, the press and public reacted badly. By not first establishing herself as a first lady – White house hostess- she was not seen as being serious about her role for the country, but only her political ambitions. The legal ruling formally identified the first lady as a political actor. The majority opinion identified her as a de facto federal official and stated that the first lady was a legitimate and formally defined post with the White House. The ruling made it clear that the first lady could accept any political appointment she was offered. Despite this huge victory for the first lady the ruling has never been taken advantage of. Hillary during her second and Laura Bush and Michelle Obama still face the Hillary backlash and have reverted to a more traditional first lady role Educated career women with independent opinions. A cause that helps their husband. Political advocate. Saying and doing what the President can’t do—shield. Hillary stood by Bill and actively fought against his impeachment claiming it was a personal matter and did not effect the country. She also did what he could not do, and went on the campaign trail for democrats during the midterm elections. The backlash she faced for standing by Bill showed how much the office and societal norms had changed, because there is a long history of Presidents having acknowledged or suspected paramours and there had never previously been repercussions for the first lady. Part of the reason Laura and Michelle are the first first ladies to not take full advantage of the new advancements in the office of the first lady is Hillary herself. While they kept the office, staff and integration with the Presidents office, both parties were cautious of the “Hillary effect” Things may have been different had she just finished out her second term quietly, but before Bill was even out of office, she announced that she was running for a senate seat because “he couldn’t run for a third term and it was her turn.” Americans of both parties believed that she never intended to act as first lady but used her marriage (and stood by Bill) solely to use him to advance her political career. As a result, Laura and Michelle’s educational and profession accomplishments were downplayed –despite the fact that they are articulate and capable of professional achievements, the rhetoric has changed from them being political partner or closest advisors to supportive wife.
- It is clear that America was not ready for Hillary in 1992 as she was too far ahead of societal and cultural norms. Looking at 2016 it seems clear that a woman will likely run for President…political pundits believe the country is ready given the discord among moderate republicans and the more conservative republicans over women’s rights (and the removal of rights) that the female voted may swing democrat allowing a strong woman to become President. Obviously all eyes are on Hillary. If she does win, not only is she the first female president, but Bill, a former President who is still one of the most popular presidents ever, will become First Lady. It seems likely that he would be active in her administration, likely taking advantage of the court ruling made about Hillary and accepting an appointment. The question remains, will advances made by a first mate change the culture of the office of first lady in the way that the women discussed did? It seems unlikely due to his unique characteristics as President as well as the fact that he is a man who is expected to lead.