A gathering of historic āladiesā
In 2013 first lady Michelle Obama met with her predecessors Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, and Rosalynn Carter at the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
first lady
Despite having no official duties, first ladies have helped shape the nation.
Being first lady of the United States, most often by virtue of being married to the president of the United States, is a position that comes without pay or an official role in the government. Yet since 1789 these women have played pivotal parts as presidential advisers, unofficial diplomats, hostesses, campaign surrogates, influencers on topics ranging from temperance to reading to nutrition, and even national tastemakers. Examples of the ways, large and small, that these...
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