Allison R Levin

MA, JD

FROM HOSTESS TO

POLITICAL SURROGATE:

THE EVOLVING ROLE OF

THE FIRST LADY OF THE

UNITED STATES

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

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

stil l 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)

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

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

JACQUELINE KENNEDY

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

LADY BIRD JOHNSON

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

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 of fice

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)

BETTY FORD

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

ROSALYN CARTER

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

HILLARY CLINTON

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

2016