Roles of First Ladies

The role of American women has changed significantly from the time the nation was born, to the modern era of the 1950s and 1960s. Many people, "... believed that women's talent and energies ... would be put to the better [use] in the new republic." (Clinton 3) Clearly showing that society has seen the importance of the women's talents and that their skills can be very useful, exploited this and thus, the change of the women's role was inevitable. Society has understood that the roles of women played an important role on all parts of life.

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.

The American Revolution was the initial push for women wanting rights. In a letter to Mary Otis Warren, Abigail Adams discloses that she asked her husband to include women and to not put all the power into the hands of men(Doc B). The American Revolution also greatly changed the lives of women. If the republic were to succeed, women must be educated so they could teach their children moral and virtue. Although their status in society stayed private and almost the same, women had a larger role in day to day life because of the Republican Motherhood. Women were honored to take on these news domestic roles(Doc C). Because of the increase in women’s education, women were able to contribute to other important movements such as the

Abigail Adams was a woman of high character and a loving soul. She was selfless in her thinking and remarkable in the way she handled people. Her management skills were above average for the normal female in the 1700s. She held many worldly interests that tied her to the political fashion of society. She was well cultured and was able to apply this to her role of a politician’s wife with great attributes towards society. She became the “buffer” with regard to her husband's temper and lack of diplomacy. She participated in many political activities. Her independent thinking, character, faithfulness, and hard work gave her the ability to succeed in society in the 17th century. Even though Abigail Adams was not formerly

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.

Describe Washington D.C. when Dolley Madison arrives. How does Dolley Madison change the role of the First Lady in the White House?

Abigail Adams was known as the “Queen of the First Ladies”, supporting her husband (John Adams) through every phase of his rise to power; as first lady she maintained a mostly conservative stance, vigorously

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.

From housewives to educated intellectuals, the roles of women in society have evolved throughout the years. Factors such as wealth, status did affect their roles in the 1700s, but overall every woman had their own place in society. The line between male and female was very distinctive. Substantial events such as the American Revolution, played a big role in modifying gender roles. Women impacted the war in great ways. They proved their capability in more than just being basic housewives. Their heroic activity all the way through the war led them both into an adequate and better off state.

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.

She was the first First Lady to live in the White House in Washington DC. Abigail assumed an active role as an informal adviser to the president and as the First Lady. She was an advocate for women’s rights and equal public education for women. She sought out denunciations of married women’s inability to control property. “Legal degradation that women had to submit to the moment they got married. Single women, including widows, were allowed to own and control property. Yet as Abigail complained to her husband in a June 1782 letter, wives' property was "subject to the control and disposal of our partners, to whom the Laws have given a sovereign Authority." (Holton, Woody. 2010. "Abigail Adams” Last Act of Defiance.") She also supported the emancipation of slaves - which she viewed it as a threat to democracy.

From as early as 1762, to as late at 1817, Abigail Adams, known for dedication to the rights of women, was proclaiming her beliefs and supporting her husband, John Adams, during the American Revolution and through John’s presidency. Throughout the book, Charles Akers is explaining the importance of Abigail Adams to, not only the women she defended, but to the new nation as a whole. Charles was successful in his attempt to explain Abigail’s importance through many detailed explanations of her actions.

     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.

I was scrolling through social media when I saw a post saying that Melania Trump had an Office in the White House. (The Person and Commenters were Irate) I personally didn't realize the First Lady got her own office in the White House but in all honesty, it makes sense. So, I started to do some research on what it was like for the past First Ladies and guess what? Almost all of them had an office and even people to work for them. Not trying to be biased to one political party to the next because that's not what that's no what I'm about, but Hillary Clinton, former first lady, and secretary of state, had an office and multiple people working for her. So, is it really wrong for First Lady Melania Trump to get one too?