First Lady of the United States facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Lady of the United States |
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Seal of the Office of the First Lady
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| Style | Mrs. Trump Madam First Lady |
| Abbreviation | FLOTUS |
| Residence | White House |
| Inaugural holder | Martha Washington |
| Formation | April 30, 1789 |
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The First Lady of the United States (often called FLOTUS) is a special title. It is usually held by the wife of the president of the United States. She holds this role while her husband is president.
Even though the First Lady's job is not written into law, she is very important. She plays a big part in the political and social life of the United States. Traditionally, the First Lady is the main hostess of the White House.
In the past, if a president was not married, a female relative would often act as the White House hostess. Since the early 1900s, the First Lady has had a team to help her. This team helps with events, communication, and special projects. Her office is now called the Office of the First Lady of the United States. It is located in the East Wing of the White House.
Over the years, the First Lady's role has grown a lot. It now includes helping with political campaigns. She also helps manage the White House. First Ladies often support important social causes. They also represent the president at official events. Many First Ladies have influenced fashion and public opinion. They have also championed female empowerment. The current First Lady, since January 20, 2025, is Melania Trump. She is the wife of President Donald Trump.
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How the Title "First Lady" Began
The name "First Lady" for the president's wife started in the United States. In the early days, there was no official title for the president's wife. Many early presidential wives chose their own titles. Some were called "Lady," "Mrs. President," or "Mrs. Presidentress." Martha Washington was often known as "Lady Washington."
One of the first times "First Lady" was used for her was in a newspaper in 1838. A writer named "Mrs. Sigourney" wrote about Martha Washington. She said Martha 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."
Many people believe Dolley Madison was called "First Lady" at her funeral in 1849. President Zachary Taylor supposedly used the title in her eulogy. However, there is no written record of this speech. Also, newspapers at the time did not use that title for her.
After 1849, the title started to be used in Washington, D.C. social groups. The first person to be called "First Lady" while in office was Harriet Lane. She was the niece of President James Buchanan. Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper used the phrase in 1860. It described her duties as the White House hostess.
Another early written example is from 1863. William Howard Russell wrote in his diary about "the First Lady in the Land." He was talking about Mary Todd Lincoln. The title became widely known in 1877. Newspaper reporter Mary C. Ames called Lucy Webb Hayes "the First Lady of the Land." This happened while she was reporting on the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes. News about Lucy Hayes helped spread the title across the country.
A popular play in 1911 also helped. It was about Dolley Madison and called The First Lady in the Land. By the 1930s, the title was used everywhere. Later, other countries also started using similar titles.
In 1919, Edith Wilson managed her husband's schedule. This was after he had a serious stroke. One senator called her "the Presidentress." He said she had changed her title from First Lady to Acting First Man. The short form FLOTUS (pronounced FLO-tiss) was first used in 1983. Donnie Radcliffe used it in The Washington Post.
Other Women in the Role
Sometimes, women who were not the president's wife have served as First Lady. This happened when a president was single or a widower. It also happened if the president's wife could not do the duties herself.
In these cases, a female relative often stepped in. Examples include Jefferson's daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph. Also, Jackson's daughter-in-law Sarah Yorke Jackson and his wife's niece Emily Donelson. Other examples are Taylor's daughter Mary Elizabeth Bliss. And Benjamin Harrison's daughter Mary Harrison McKee. Also, Buchanan's niece Harriet Lane. And Chester A. Arthur's sister Mary Arthur McElroy. And Cleveland's sister Rose Cleveland.
Sometimes, family members temporarily helped out. This happened when the president's wife was unable to do her duties. For example, Susan Ford helped her father. She assisted with hostess duties while her mother, Betty Ford, was recovering from a health issue.
What if the President is a Man?
All 45 presidents of the United States have been men. Their wives or female relatives have always taken on the role of First Lady. So, a male version of the title has never been needed.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the first woman to win a major party's presidential nomination. People wondered what her husband Bill Clinton would be called if she won. During her campaign, "First Gentleman of the United States" was often suggested. However, since he was a former president, he might have been called "Mr. President."
Also, male spouses of state governors are usually called "first gentleman." For example, Michael Haley was the first gentleman of South Carolina. This was when his wife, Nikki, was governor. Hillary Clinton did not win the election. So, this question was not answered at that time.
In 2021, Kamala Harris became vice president. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first male spouse of a nationally elected official in the U.S. He took the title of second gentleman of the United States. This makes it likely that any future male spouse of a president would be called "first gentleman."
Kamala Harris later became the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 presidential election. This happened after President Joe Biden withdrew. If Harris had won, Emhoff would likely have been called "first gentleman." However, Harris lost the election. So, this question remains for the future.
The First Lady's Role
The First Lady's role is not elected or appointed. It is not an official government job. She mainly has ceremonial duties. Still, First Ladies are very visible in American society. Their role has changed over hundreds of years.
First and foremost, she is the White House hostess. She plans and attends official events and state functions. She does this either with the president or in his place.
Martha Washington helped create the role. She hosted many state events in the early capitals. This social gathering was called the Republican Court. It gave important women chances to play behind-the-scenes political roles. Both Martha Washington and Abigail Adams were treated like "ladies" of the British royal court.
Dolley Madison made the First Lady role more popular. She helped orphans and women. She wore elegant clothes and got a lot of newspaper attention. She also risked her life to save important treasures during the War of 1812. Madison set the standard for the role. Her actions were a model for almost every First Lady until Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s.
Eleanor Roosevelt traveled widely and spoke to many groups. She often shared her own opinions, which were sometimes different from the president's. She wrote a weekly newspaper column and hosted a radio show. Jacqueline Kennedy worked to redecorate and restore the White House.
Many First Ladies became important trendsetters in fashion. Some have also had political influence. They often serve as important advisors to the president.
During the 20th century, First Ladies started choosing specific causes to support. These causes were usually ones that most people could agree on. It became common for the First Lady to hire staff to help with these activities.
- Lady Bird Johnson championed protecting the environment and making places beautiful.
- Pat Nixon encouraged people to volunteer and traveled a lot to other countries.
- Betty Ford supported women's rights and helped people with health challenges.
- Rosalynn Carter helped those with mental health needs.
- Nancy Reagan started the "Just Say No" campaign to help young people make good choices.
- Barbara Bush promoted reading for children.
- Hillary Clinton worked to improve healthcare in the U.S.
- Laura Bush supported women's rights groups and encouraged children to read.
- Michelle Obama focused on supporting military families and fighting childhood obesity.
- Jill Biden focused on supporting military families and White House history.
- The current First Lady, Melania Trump, uses her position to help children. This includes raising awareness about online safety and supporting those affected by harmful substances. She has also worked to fight against harmful online content, which helped influence the passing of the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Since 1964, the current and all living former First Ladies are honorary members of the board of trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Near the end of her husband's presidency, Hillary Clinton became the first First Lady to run for political office. She ran for United States Senate. During her campaign, her daughter Chelsea took on many of the First Lady's duties. Hillary Clinton won and served as a senator from New York from 2001 to 2009. She then became President Obama's secretary of state. Later, she was the Democratic Party nominee for president in the 2016 election. She lost to Donald Trump.
Some First Ladies have taken on bigger roles in their husbands' administrations. Hillary Clinton played a big part in shaping public healthcare policy. Others, like Rosalynn Carter, regularly attended Cabinet meetings. She often sat quietly in the back of the room. More recently, Jill Biden has also participated in Cabinet meetings, sitting at the cabinet table with Cabinet officers.
The First Lady's Office
The Office of the First Lady helps the First Lady do her job. This includes her role as White House hostess. It also manages all social and ceremonial events at the White House. The First Lady has her own staff. This includes a chief of staff, a press secretary, a social secretary, and a chief floral designer. The Office of the First Lady is part of the White House Office. This is a branch of the Executive Office of the President.
When First Lady Hillary Clinton decided to run for Senator of New York, she put aside some of her duties. She moved to Chappaqua, New York, to establish residency there. She returned to her First Lady duties after winning her Senate campaign. She held both roles for 17 days until Bill Clinton's term ended.
Special Collections
The First Ladies Collection started in 1912. It has been one of the most popular exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution. The first exhibit opened in 1914. It was one of the first at the Smithsonian to feature women prominently.
At first, the exhibit focused mostly on fashion. Now, it explores more deeply the contributions of First Ladies to American society. In 2008, "First Ladies at the Smithsonian" opened at the National Museum of American History. This exhibit led to a larger one on First Ladies' history. It opened on November 19, 2011.
"The First Ladies" exhibit explores the unofficial but important role of the First Lady. It shows how different women have shaped the role. They have made their own contributions to presidential administrations and the nation. The exhibit features 26 dresses and over 160 other items. These range from items belonging to Martha Washington to Michelle Obama. It includes White House china, personal belongings, and other objects. These are from the Smithsonian's special collection of First Ladies' materials.
Influence and Style
Some First Ladies have become famous for their clothing and style. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for example, became a global fashion icon. Her style was copied by clothing makers. Many young women imitated her look. She was even named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1965.
Mamie Eisenhower was named one of the twelve best-dressed women in the country. This was by the New York Dress Institute every year she was First Lady. The "Mamie Look" included a full-skirted dress, charm bracelets, pearls, small hats, and bobbed hair with bangs.
Michelle Obama also got a lot of attention for her fashion choices. Style writer Robin Givhan praised her. She said the First Lady's style helped improve the public image of the office.
Causes and Initiatives
Since the 1920s, many First Ladies have become public speakers. They often choose specific causes to support. It also became common for the First Lady to hire staff to help with her goals. Here are some recent causes supported by First Ladies:
- Lou Henry Hoover:
- Restoring the White House
- Eleanor Roosevelt:
- Women's rights
- Civil rights
- Helping people in need
- Jacqueline Kennedy:
- White House restoration and supporting the Arts
- Lady Bird Johnson:
- Environmental protection and making places beautiful
- Pat Nixon:
- Encouraging volunteerism
- Betty Ford:
- Women's rights
- Helping people with health challenges
- Rosalynn Carter:
- Mental health awareness
- Nancy Reagan:
- "Just Say No" campaign for healthy choices
- Barbara Bush:
- Childhood reading and education
- Hillary Clinton:
- Improving healthcare in the U.S.
- Laura Bush:
- Childhood reading and education
- Michelle Obama:
- "Let's Move!" to reduce childhood obesity
- "Let Girls Learn" to increase education for girls
- Melania Trump:
- "Be Best" for online safety
- Awareness about harmful online content
- Jill Biden:
- "Joining Forces" for military families
- White House history
See also
In Spanish: Primera dama de los Estados Unidos para niños
- First Ladies: Influence & Image
- First Ladies National Historic Site (Canton, Ohio)
- First Spouse $1 Coin Program
- List of current United States first spouses
- Second ladies and gentlemen of the United States
- Lewis L. Gould, a scholar who studied First Ladies
