06/02/2021
June 2: National First Ladies’ Day
Since George Washington became president in 1789, the USA
has always had a first lady. From Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden, First
Ladies have acted as the hostess for the nation. Eleanor Roosevelt was the
first to step into the limelight and champion her own causes: women’s rights,
civil rights and humanitarianism. Since then, every has promoted important
issues close to their hearts, from the arts (Jacqueline Kennedy) to mental
health (Rosalynn Carter), volunteerism (Pat Nixon), childhood literacy (Laura
Bush) and reducing childhood obesity (Michelle Obama).
It is important to note that not all first ladies were
president’s wives, as several times the president has been a bachelor or
widower or his wife was unable to fulfill the duties of the role. Martha Jefferson Randolph, Mary Harrison
McKee and Mary Elizabeth Bliss all served as first ladies under their
presidential fathers, other such First Ladies included Sarah Yorke Jackson
(daughter-in-law to President Jackson), Emily Donelson (Jackson’s wife’s
niece), Harriet Lane (Buchanan’s niece) and Rose Cleveland (Cleveland’s
sister).
Today, we have five living former first ladies: Rosalyn
Carter, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. As we
have not yet elected a female president, the title for the male spouse of a
president has not yet been set in stone. Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband
is known as the Second Gentleman, suggesting that the title of First Gentleman
would be a likely one.
Penworthy carries a full line of presidential
biographies as well as biographies of kid-favorite first lady Michelle
Obama. Hats off to our first ladies on their special day!