June 2nd is “National First Ladies Day.” The role of the First Lady of the United States is not defined by the Constitution, but rather by tradition and custom. The First Lady is the wife of the President of the United States, and she serves as the hostess of the White House. She also has a number of other responsibilities, including representing the President at official functions, promoting the interests of the United States, and working on charitable causes.
Each First Lady has her own unique set of interests and priorities, and she often chooses to focus on a particular cause during her time in the White House. For example, Eleanor Roosevelt was a champion of human rights, Jacqueline Kennedy focused on the arts, and Roslyn Carter was a mental health advocate.
Our current first lady, Jill Biden was born in Hammonton, New Jersey and grew up in Willow Grove, PA. Her White House website (WhiteHouse.gov) description includes Dr. Biden’s roles as a community college educator, a military mother, a grandmother, and bestselling author. She has continued championing the causes that have defined her public life: supporting military families, advocating for increased educational opportunities, and working to end cancer as we know it. She advanced the missions of two key White House initiatives, Joining Forces and the Cancer Moonshot. Dr. Biden also served as Second Lady of the United States from 2009–2017.
One of the most notable First Ladies for her work on a particular cause is Lady Bird Johnson. Lady Bird Johnson was the wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, and she served as First Lady from 1963 to 1969. During her time in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson focused on a number of causes, including beautification, education, and poverty.
Lady Bird Johnson served as a champion of conservation efforts, advocated for the creation of National Park Service units, lobbied for the passage of environmental legislation, and campaigned for the improvement of the character of the nation’s highway system.
According to The National Park Service (NPS.gov):
In a similar vein of enthusiasm and commitment, she initiated the Beautification Project as a solution to America’s urban ills. Urban renewal projects and the expansion of highway infrastructure had fractured communities. Downtown centers and neighborhoods were becoming empty and blighted. Inner city waterways and urban cores were heavily polluted.
Beautification, as conceived by Lady Bird Johnson, was concerned with matters of environmental improvement and condition enhancements. Quoting Churchill and expanding on his concept, Lady Bird stated that, “‘First we shape our buildings, and then they shape us.’ The same is true of our highways, our parks, our public buildings, and the environment we create. They shape us.” She also noted, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope – and hope is the precious, indispensable ingredient.”
Beautification was far more complex than a garden club project. According to Johnson, “Though the word beautification makes the concept sound merely cosmetic, it involves much more: clean water, clean air, clean roadsides, safe waste disposal and preservation of valued old landmarks as well as great parks and wilderness areas. To me…beautification means our total concern for the physical and human quality we pass on to our children and the future.”
In addition to Lady Bird Johnson, other First Ladies who have made significant contributions to their country include:
Eleanor Roosevelt: A champion of human rights, Eleanor Roosevelt worked tirelessly to promote the rights of women, minorities, and the poor.
Jacqueline Kennedy: A passionate advocate for the arts, Jacqueline Kennedy helped to restore the White House to its former glory and launched the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Nancy Reagan: A strong supporter of the arts and education, Nancy Reagan worked to raise awareness of substance use disorders and founded the “Just Say No” campaign.
Hillary Clinton: A tireless advocate for women’s rights and health care, Hillary Clinton served as First Lady from 1993 to 2001 and then as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013.
Michelle Obama: A champion of healthy eating and physical activity, Michelle Obama launched the “Let’s Move!” campaign and worked to improve the lives of children and families across the country.
The First Lady of the United States is a powerful role model, and she has the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. Each First Lady brings her own unique talents and interests to the role, and she uses her position to make a positive impact on the country.
“You belong among the wildflowers…Far away from your trouble and worry. You belong somewhere you feel free. You belong somewhere you feel free.” -Tom Petty
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Author: Theresa Drass
