Role Of First Ladies

When Franklin became the president of the United States, Eleanor had to accept her role as the first lady. Mrs. Roosevelt was not like the First Ladies before her. She made her mark on society. She got involved in politics. Franklin saw her as his "eyes and ears" for she would tell him what was going on throughout the country with "real" people she had met while Franklin remained in Washington D.C. She was a very important part of the presidential team.

Although Eleanor Roosevelt served as first lady from 1932 to 1945, her influence lasted much longer than expected. Eleanor became her husband’s ears and eyes during her husband’s presidency and aided human rights during her entire life. She did what no other First Lady, or woman had dared to do before; she challenged society’s wrong doings. Many respected her; President Truman had called her “the First Lady of the World (Freedman, 168).” Eleanor Roosevelt was an amazing first lady who helped her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, run the country.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962), one of the most admired women in American history, acted as first lady from 1933 until 1945, longer than any other presidential spouse, and put that position on the nation’s political map. Yet, ironically, Eleanor did not want the job because she thought it would hamper her own self-development as an independent person. Through her own path-breaking efforts she transformed her role from official hostess to important spokesperson for her husband’s administration. In the process she became a role model for millions of Americans who applauded her activism on behalf of social causes.

“Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of husbands. Remember all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies, we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation” (C-SPAN First Ladies: Influence & Image). This is a quote from Abigail Adams, one of the most important first ladies of all times. She was not only the first lady to live in the White House but she was also the mother of a president, her son John Quincy Adams. She has contributed much influence on the country and is utterly distinct from other first ladies. Although she was not a complete feminist she did believe in women’s education, which was not common at the time, and she also believed in protecting women’s rights.

Eleanor Roosevelt set a precedent for first ladies by purposefully establishing herself as a political figure.

For years in the United States of America, women have been battling for their rights. In the early years when the United States were colonies, under the English common law, “By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in the law. The very being and legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated into that of her husband under whose wing and protection she performs everything,” (History of Women’s Rights in America). Now in present day America, Hilary Clinton gets the presidential nomination for the Democratic party and becoming the first women to lead a majority party, however she lost the election. Where the United States is today, America would not be like it is now without the leader of the free world, the president. Comparing both President Wilson and Ford, how they help women’s rights, what they accomplished, and how Congress had an impact.

When one thinks about the tile of First Lady of the United States, images of Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, and Michelle Obama begin to materialize. In today’s world, the title can be associated with the President’s wife working eloquently towards the good will of the United States either through social services, community service, and even through getting children active within our schools. Additionally, the First Lady of the United States is rarely under the scope of scrutiny. However, in 1828, with the election of President-Elect Andrew Jackson, the First Lady-Elect Rachel Jackson was regarded entirely different. The campaign that allowed for Andrew Jackson against the incumbent, John Quincy Adams, was a very robust campaign that allowed for Jackson to gain control of the executive, but only after he was tainted with sorrow. Because of the fierce campaign ran by John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson charged him for the death of his beloved wife. Therefore, because of the harmful campaign rhetoric against Rachel Jackson deeming her as a bigamist, the extreme sorrow that Jackson has for his wife after her death, and ultimately the apprehension and anxiety that came about as a result of her death, Andrew Jackson has gone down as one of the most notorious presidents in American History.

Some kids know about the Presidents, but do they know about the people that help him every day. The first lady, the wife of President, is always helping the President in many ways. One of the earliest first ladies is Jane M. Pierce. Jane Pierce was the wife of the fourteenth President, Franklin Pierce.

She was sometimes known as “ Mrs.President ” This probably means she took a lot of pride in herself and was a true female leader. She believed that should be its own

     Before Eleanor Roosevelt, the role of the first lady was not a political role; it was merely just a formal title of the president’s wife. Eleanor Roosevelt paved the way for all presidents’ wives to come by being active in politics during and after her husband’s presidency. Of course, she did not have instant success; she had many trials which helped her become an important and influential role model. Eleanor Roosevelt’s dedication to her husband, her activeness in politics, and her volunteer work enabled her to change the role of the First Lady.

FLOTUS has a definite impact on the presidency of the United States. Presidents have their cabenit members but some times they seek advice or knowledge from an outsider. Who better to turn to than your life partner? We can see the influence the first lady has in the presidency of John Adams. His wife, Abigal Adams, often expressed her concerns over the treatment of women to her husband, who was working on a new government. She wrote her husband many times telling him to “remember the labies”. She forced her husband to recognize that the rights of women were being subdued. In short, she served as his unoffical advisor. Michelle Obama has also had a huge impact on Barack Obama’s presidency. She was a strong brillany woman who accomplishment

The title First Lady of the United States is not a constitutional role but rather an unofficial title given to the official White House hostess1. The first “first lady” was Dolley Madison in 1809. The first ladies usually are confidantes and advisors2. The first lady does not always have to be a spouse and can be, if the president was never married or is a widower, be a related family member3. The responsibilities of the first lady is to be a good public figure and control certain things that go on in the White House. The First Lady is responsible for any of the media appearance of their kids4.

Every person attempts to change the world within the finite number of days they have to live. For the Roosevelt family, many people renovated the country through political offices. Eleanor Roosevelt, for example, raised the expectations of the First Lady while becoming one of the most admirable women in American history. Although she knew that women were looked down on by society, the former First Lady of the United States aimed to change multiple lives while her husband led the country for twelve years. However, Eleanor refused to rely on her husband’s presidency to change the world, and she continued to advocate for human rights until she passed away. Her goals and aspirations allowed women to imagine their capabilities not only as a United States citizen, but also as a human. While fighting for what she believed in, she became a role model for women and, simultaneously, changed the expectations of the typical woman. Her contributions to the country influenced every mother, sister, daughter, and First

History both nationally and internationally have been greatly impacted by significant and ordinary people such as Eleanor Roosevelt, through exercising both power and influence. Eleanor Roosevelt through her husband’s election to president gained considerable power and influence. She transformed the role of first lady, it was no longer about staying in the background but becoming active in political and social issues. Her championing of humanitarian causes such as women’s movement, human and civil rights demonstrates her impact on national and international history.

Roosevelt spoke out for an abundance of causes including women’s rights, poverty, discrimination, children’s issues and foreign affairs. Being the President’s wife came with certain privileges and she utilized them on several occasions to further her agendas. According to an article in Women’s America “ER increasingly bypassed State Department restrictions; she worked, often covertly, with private groups and individuals. She campaigned for a less restrictive refugee policy, pursed visas for individuals, and answered and passed on to government officials every appeal sent to her” (Kerber 532). Being of the highest possible social class, Roosevelt found power in her status and leveraged it to further her own itinerary.