First Lady of the United States

Martha Washington by Rembrandt Peale, circa 1856, based on a portrait by his father, Charles Willson Peale

The use of the title First Lady to describe the spouse or hostess of an executive began in the United States. In the early days of the republic, there was not a generally accepted title for the wife of the president. Many early first ladies expressed their own preference for how they were addressed, including the use of such titles as "Lady", "Mrs. President" and "Mrs. Presidentress"; Martha Washington was often referred to as "Lady Washington." One of the earliest uses of the term "First Lady" was applied to her in an 1838 newspaper article that appeared in the St. Johnsbury Caledonian, the author, "Mrs. Sigourney", discussing how Martha Washington had not changed, even after her husband George became president. She wrote that "The first lady of the nation still preserved the habits of early life. Indulging in no indolence, she left the pillow at dawn, and after breakfast, retired to her chamber for an hour for the study of the scriptures and devotion."[3]

Dolley Madison was said to be the first wife of a president to be referred to as "First Lady" (this was at her funeral in 1849).

Dolley Madison was reportedly referred to as "First Lady" in 1849 at her funeral in a eulogy delivered by President Zachary Taylor; however, no written record of this eulogy exists, nor did any of the newspapers of her day refer to her by that title.[4] Sometime after 1849, the title began being used in Washington, D.C., social circles. One of the earliest known written examples comes from November 3, 1863, diary entry of William Howard Russell, in which he referred to gossip about "the First Lady in the Land", referring to Mary Todd Lincoln. The title first gained nationwide recognition in 1877, when newspaper journalist Mary C. Ames referred to Lucy Webb Hayes as "the First Lady of the Land" while reporting on the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes. The frequent reporting on Lucy Hayes' activities helped spread use of the title outside Washington. A popular 1911 comedic play about Dolley Madison by playwright Charles Nirdlinger, titled The First Lady in the Land, popularized the title further. By the 1930s, it was in wide use. Use of the title later spread from the United States to other nations.

When Edith Wilson took control of her husband's schedule in 1919 after he had a debilitating stroke, one Republican senator labeled her "the Presidentress who had fulfilled the dream of the suffragettes by changing her title from First Lady to Acting First Man."[5]

The wife of the vice president of the United States is sometimes referred to as the second lady of the United States (SLOTUS), but this title is much less common.

Another acronym used is FLOTUS, or First Lady of the United States. According to the Nexis database, the term (which is pronounced FLOW-tus, to rhyme with Potus, and not FLOT-tus) was first used in 1983 by Donnie Radcliffe, writing in The Washington Post.[6][7]

First Lady Barbara Bush, joined by Missouri governor John Ashcroft, with a "Parents as Teachers" group at the Greater St. Louis Ferguson-Florissant School District in October 1991. Mrs. Bush, who championed literacy as first lady, is reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear to the children.

First ladies Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush (standing, left to right), Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Rosalynn Carter, and Betty Ford (seated, left to right) at the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, November 1991

The position of the first lady is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties. Nonetheless, first ladies have held a highly visible position in American society.[8] The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries. She is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House.[8] She organizes and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the president. Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1932–1961); as political activist (1964–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001).[9]

Martha Washington created the role and hosted many affairs of state at the national capital (New York and Philadelphia). This socializing became known as "the Republican Court" and provided elite women with opportunities to play backstage political roles.[10] Both Martha Washington and Abigail Adams were treated as if they were "ladies" of the British royal court.[8]

Dolley Madison popularized the first ladyship by engaging in efforts to assist orphans and women, by dressing in elegant fashions and attracting newspaper coverage, and by risking her life to save iconic treasures during the War of 1812. Madison set the standard for the ladyship and her actions were the model for nearly every first lady until Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s.[8] Roosevelt traveled widely and spoke to many groups, often voicing personal opinions to the left of the president's. She authored a weekly newspaper column and hosted a radio show.[11] Jacqueline Kennedy led an effort to redecorate and restore the White House.[12]

From left to right Rosalynn Carter, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and first lady Laura Bush at the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center in 2004.

Many first ladies became significant fashion trendsetters.[8] Some have exercised a degree of political influence by virtue of being an important adviser to the president.[8]

Over the course of the 20th century, it became increasingly common for first ladies to select specific causes to promote, usually ones that are not politically divisive. It is common for the first lady to hire a staff to support these activities. Lady Bird Johnson pioneered environmental protection and beautification.[13] Pat Nixon encouraged volunteerism and traveled extensively abroad; Betty Ford supported women's rights; Rosalynn Carter aided those with mental disabilities; Nancy Reagan founded the Just Say No drug awareness campaign; Barbara Bush promoted literacy; Hillary Clinton sought to reform the healthcare system in the U.S.; Laura Bush supported women's rights groups, and encouraged childhood literacy.[8] Michelle Obama became identified with supporting military families and tackling childhood obesity;[14] and Melania Trump has stated that she wants to use her position to help children, including prevention of cyberbullying and supporting children whose lives are affected by drugs.[15]

Near the end of her husband's presidency, Clinton became the first first lady to run for political office. During the campaign, her daughter, Chelsea, took over much of the first lady's role. Victorious, Clinton served as U.S. Senator from New York from 2001 to 2009, when she resigned to become President Obama's Secretary of State until 2013. Clinton was the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 2016 election, but lost to Donald Trump.

First ladies (from left to right) Nancy Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Clinton, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, and Barbara Bush at the "National Garden Gala, A Tribute to America's First Ladies", May 11, 1994. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, absent due to illness, died a week after this photograph was taken.

The Office of the First Lady of the United States is accountable to the first lady for her to carry out her duties as hostess of the White House, and is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. The first lady has her own staff that includes a chief of staff, press secretary, White House Social Secretary, and Chief Floral Designer. The Office of the First Lady is an entity of the White House Office, a branch of the Executive Office of the President.[16] When First Lady Hillary Clinton decided to pursue a run for Senator of New York, she set aside her duties as first lady[17] and moved to Chappaqua, New York to establish state residency.[18] She resumed her duties as first lady after winning her senatorial campaign,[19] and retained her duties as both first lady and U.S. Senator for the seventeen-day overlap before Bill Clinton's term came to an end.[20]

Despite the significant responsibilities usually handled by the first lady, the first lady does not receive a salary. This has been criticized by both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.[21]

Established in 1912, the First Ladies Collection has been one of the most popular attractions at the Smithsonian Institution. The original exhibition opened in 1914 and was one of the first at the Smithsonian to prominently feature women. Originally focused largely on fashion, the exhibition now delves deeper into the contributions of first ladies to the presidency and American society. In 2008, "First Ladies at the Smithsonian" opened at the National Museum of American History as part of its reopening year celebration. That exhibition served as a bridge to the museum's expanded exhibition on first ladies' history that opened on November 19, 2011. "The First Ladies" explores the unofficial but important position of first lady and the ways that different women have shaped the role to make their own contributions to the presidential administrations and the nation. The exhibition features 26 dresses and more than 160 other objects, ranging from those of Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, and includes White House china, personal possessions and other objects from the Smithsonian's unique collection of first ladies' materials.[22]

Official portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy at the White House.

Some first ladies have garnered attention for their dress and style. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for instance, became a global fashion icon: her style was copied by commercial manufacturers and imitated by many young women, and she was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1965.[23][24] Michelle Obama has also received significant attention for her fashion choices: style writer Robin Givhan praised her in The Daily Beast, arguing that the First Lady's style has helped to enhance the public image of the office.[25]

Over the course of the 20th century, it became increasingly common for first ladies to select specific causes to promote, usually ones that are not politically divisive. It is common for the first lady to hire a staff to support these activities.

First Lady	Tenure	Cause(s)
Eleanor Roosevelt	March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945	Women's rights, civil rights, and humanitarian efforts	Giving kids free food and water in Hyde Park
Mamie Eisenhower	January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961	Farmer	The Eisenhower farm
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy	January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963	White House restoration and the arts	The Kennedy Rose Garden, pioneered by Jaqueline Kennedy
Lady Bird Johnson	November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969	Environmental protection and beautification	Lady Bird Johnson oversees the planting of a dogwood as a part of her beautification.
Pat Nixon	January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974	Volunteerism	Pat Nixon
Betty Ford	August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977	Women's rights	Betty Ford showing her support publicly for the Equal Rights Amendment
Rosalynn Smith Carter	January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981	Mental health	Rosalynn Carter chairs mental health hearings.
Nancy Reagan	January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989	"Just Say No"; drug awareness	Nancy Reagan attending a "Just Say No" rally with children
Barbara Pierce Bush	January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993	Childhood literacy	Barbara Bush reading to a group of schoolchildren
Hillary Rodham Clinton	January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001	Healthcare	Hillary Clinton during her presentation at a congressional hearing on healthcare reform
Laura Welch Bush	January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009	"Ready to Read, Ready to Learn"; childhood literacy	Laura Bush observes a fifth-grade math class.
Michelle Obama	January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2017	"Let's Move!"; reducing childhood obesity	Michelle Obama joins children for a yoga class during a "Let's Move!" after school activities event.
Melania Trump	January 20, 2017–present	"Be Best"; cyberbullying awareness	Melania Trump attending a "Be Best" rally with children

As of June 2020, there are four living former first ladies, as identified below.

• 
  Rosalynn Carter
  served 1977–1981
  born 1927 (age 92)
  wife of Jimmy Carter
• 
  Hillary Clinton
  served 1993–2001
  born 1947 (age 72)
  wife of Bill Clinton
• 
  Laura Bush
  served 2001–2009
  born 1946 (age 73)
  wife of George W. Bush
• 
  Michelle Obama
  served 2009–2017
  born 1964 (age 56)
  wife of Barack Obama

The most recent first lady to die was Barbara Bush (served 1989–1993), on April 17, 2018, at the age of 92. The greatest number of former first ladies to be alive at one time was ten, during the period from June 2, 1886 to August 23, 1887, when Sarah Yorke Jackson, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, Julia Gardiner Tyler, Sarah Childress Polk, Harriet Lane, Julia Grant, Lucy Webb Hayes, Lucretia Garfield, Mary Arthur McElroy, and Rose Cleveland were all alive; and the period from March 4 to June 25, 1889, when Priscilla Cooper Tyler, Julia Gardiner Tyler, Sarah Childress Polk, Harriet Lane, Julia Grant, Lucy Webb Hayes, Lucretia Garfield, Mary Arthur McElroy, Rose Cleveland, and Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston were alive.

• First Ladies: Influence & Image
• First Ladies National Historic Site (Canton, Ohio)
• List of current United States first spouses
• First Spouse $1 Coin Program

• Alphabetical List of First Ladies of the United States – Library of Congress website
• Office of the First Lady – WhiteHouse.gov
• First Lady's Gallery – WhiteHouse.gov
• The National First Ladies' Library
• The First Ladies at the Smithsonian – an online exhibition from the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution