First Ladies
“First lady” is the title for the wife of the president of the United States. Although the first lady’s role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the nation. Some first ladies have used their influence to affect legislation on important matters such as temperance reform, housing improvement, and women’s rights. Since 1789, especially, the role of first lady has changed considerably. Although still dependent on individual personalities, it has come to include involvement in political campaigns, management of the White House, championship of social causes, and representation of the president at official and ceremonial occasions.
First Ladies Encyclopedia Articles
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Louisa Adams
Louisa Adams was an American first lady (1825–29), the wife of John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States. Louisa Johnson was born to Joshua Johnson, an American businessman from Maryland,...
Ida McKinley
Ida McKinley was the American first lady (1897–1901), the wife of William McKinley, 25th president of the United States. Ida Saxton was the middle child of James A. Saxton, a wealthy banker and businessman,...
Barbara Bush
Barbara Bush was an American first lady (1989–93), wife of George H.W. Bush, 41st president of the United States, and mother of George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States. One of the most popular...
Edith Roosevelt
Edith Roosevelt was an American first lady (1901–09), the second wife of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States. She was noted for institutionalizing the duties of the first lady and refurbishing...
Julia Tyler
Julia Tyler was an American first lady (June 26, 1844–March 4, 1845), the wife of John Tyler, 10th president of the United States. For eight months she presided over the White House with charming exuberance....
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton is an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. senator (2001–09) and secretary of state (2009–13) in the administration of Pres. Barack Obama. She had served as first lady (1993–2001)...
Martha Washington
Martha Washington was the American first lady (1789–97), the wife of George Washington, first president of the United States and commander in chief of the colonial armies during the American Revolutionary...
Edith Wilson
Edith Wilson was an American first lady (1915–21), the second wife of Woodrow Wilson, 28th president of the United States. When he was disabled by illness during his second term, she fulfilled many of...
Rosalynn Carter
Rosalynn Carter was an American first lady (1977–81)—the wife of Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States—and mental health advocate. She was one of the most politically astute and active of all...
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama American first lady (2009–17), the wife of Barack Obama, 44th president of the United States. She was the first African American first lady. Michelle Robinson, who grew up on Chicago’s South...
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an American first lady (1961–63), who was the wife of John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, and was noted for her style and elegance. Her second husband,...
Pat Nixon
Pat Nixon was an American first lady (1969–74), the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th president of the United States, who espoused the cause of volunteerism during her husband’s term. Nicknamed “Pat” because...
Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson was an American first lady (1963–69), the wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th president of the United States, and an environmentalist noted for her emphasis on beautification. The daughter...
Betty Ford
Betty Ford was an American first lady (1974–77)—the wife of Gerald Ford, 38th president of the United States—and founder of the Betty Ford Center, a facility dedicated to helping people recover from drug...
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was an American first lady (1797–1801), the wife of John Adams, second president of the United States, and mother of John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the United States. She was a prolific...
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan was an American first lady (1981–89)—the wife of Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States—and actress, noted for her efforts to discourage drug use by American youths. Christened...
Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison was an American first lady (1809–17), the wife of James Madison, fourth president of the United States. Raised in the plain style of her Quaker family, she was renowned for her charm, warmth,...
Florence Harding
Florence Harding was an American first lady (1921–23), the wife of Warren G. Harding, 29th president of the United States. Energetic, strong-willed, and popular, she was an important influence on her husband’s...
first lady
First lady, wife of the president of the United States. Although the first lady’s role has never been codified or officially defined, she figures prominently in the political and social life of the nation....
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt was an American first lady (1933–45), the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd president of the United States, and a United Nations diplomat and humanitarian. She was, in her time, one...
Julia Grant
Julia Grant was an American first lady (1869–77), the wife of Ulysses S. Grant, 18th president of the United States and commander of the Union armies during the last years of the American Civil War. A...