First Lady of the United States facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Lady of the United States |
|
|---|---|
| Style | 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 has this role while her husband is president. Even though the first lady's job is not officially written down, she is very important. She plays a big part in the political and social life of the United States. The first lady is also the main hostess of the White House.
In the past, if a president was not married, he would often ask a female relative to be the White House hostess. The White House always had staff to help. But since the early 1900s, the first lady has had her own team. This team helps with events, communication, and other tasks. Her office is now called the Office of the First Lady. It is located in the East Wing of the White House.
Since the 1900s, the first lady's role has changed 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 also influenced things like fashion and public opinion. They have also spoken up for female empowerment.
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What Does "First Lady" Mean?
The title "First Lady" started in the United States. In the early days, there was no common title for the president's wife. Many early first ladies chose their own titles. Some were called "Lady," "Mrs. President," or "Mrs. Presidentress." Martha Washington was often called "Lady Washington." One of the first times "First Lady" was used for her was in a newspaper in 1838. The writer, "Mrs. Sigourney," wrote about how Martha Washington stayed the same. 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 from her 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 for her in 1860. Another early 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 writer Mary C. Ames called Lucy Webb Hayes "the First Lady of the Land." This happened when she reported on the inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes. News about Lucy Hayes helped spread the title across the country. A popular play in 1911 about Dolley Madison also helped. By the 1930s, the title was used everywhere. Later, other countries also started using similar titles.
When Edith Wilson managed her husband's schedule in 1919, some called her "the Presidentress." This was after her husband had a serious illness. The short form FLOTUS was first used in 1983 by Donnie Radcliffe. He wrote for The Washington Post.
What if the President is Not Married?
Sometimes, women who were not the president's wife have served as first lady. This happened when a president was not married or his wife could not do the duties. In these cases, a female relative would step in. For example, Jefferson's daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph served. Other examples include Jackson's daughter-in-law Sarah Yorke Jackson. His wife's niece Emily Donelson also served. Taylor's daughter Mary Elizabeth Bliss took on the role. Benjamin Harrison's daughter Mary Harrison McKee also served. Buchanan's niece Harriet Lane was a first lady. Chester A. Arthur's sister Mary Arthur McElroy and Cleveland's sister Rose Cleveland also served.
What About a Male First Spouse?
All 45 presidents of the United States have been men. Their wives or female relatives have always filled 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 be nominated for president by a major party. People wondered what her husband, Bill, would be called if she won. The title First Gentleman of the United States was often suggested. However, since he was a former president, he might have been called "Mr. President."
In many states, the husbands of female governors are called the first gentleman. For example, Michael Haley was the first gentleman of South Carolina. His wife, Nikki, was the governor. Hillary Clinton did not win the election, so the question was not answered then.
In 2021, Kamala Harris became vice president. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first male spouse of a nationally elected official. He is called the Second Gentleman of the United States. This makes it likely that a future male spouse of a president would be called the first gentleman. Kamala Harris later became the Democratic presidential nominee in 2024. If she had won, Doug Emhoff would likely have been called the First Gentleman. However, she lost the election.
The First Lady's Role
The first lady's job is not elected. It mainly involves 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 with or for the president.
Historians have seen different main roles for first ladies. From 1900 to 1929, they were seen as public figures. From 1932 to 1961, they were political celebrities. From 1964 to 1977, they were political activists. From 1980 to 2001, they were seen as having more political influence.
Martha Washington started the role. She hosted many events in the early capital cities. This social life was important for political connections. Both Martha Washington and Abigail Adams were treated like important ladies.
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 even risked her life to save important items during the War of 1812. Madison set the standard for first ladies. Her actions were a model until Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s. Roosevelt traveled widely and spoke to many groups. She often shared her own opinions. She wrote a weekly newspaper column and had a radio show. Jacqueline Kennedy worked to redecorate and restore the White House.
Many first ladies became fashion trendsetters. Some also had political influence. They were important advisors to the president.
In the 20th century, first ladies often chose specific causes to support. These causes were usually ones that most people agreed on. It became common for the first lady to hire staff to help with these activities. Lady Bird Johnson worked for environmental protection. Pat Nixon encouraged people to volunteer. She also traveled a lot. Betty Ford supported women's rights. Rosalynn Carter helped people with mental health challenges. Nancy Reagan started the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign. Barbara Bush promoted reading for children. Hillary Clinton worked to improve healthcare in the U.S. Laura Bush supported women's groups and childhood reading. Michelle Obama focused on helping military families. She also worked to reduce childhood obesity. Jill Biden also focused on military families and White House history. The current first lady, Melania Trump, helps children. She works to prevent cyberbullying.
Since 1964, all current and former first ladies are honorary members. They are on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Near the end of her husband's presidency, Hillary Clinton made history. She was the first first lady to run for political office. She ran for United States Senate. During her campaign, her daughter Chelsea took over many first lady duties. Hillary Clinton won and served as a senator from New York. Later, she was the Democratic nominee for president in 2016. She lost to Donald Trump.
The Office of the First Lady
The Office of the First Lady helps the first lady do her job. This includes her role as White House hostess. It also handles all social and ceremonial events at the White House. The first lady has her own staff. This includes a chief of staff and a press secretary. It also includes a White House social secretary and a chief floral designer. This office 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, she put aside some duties. She moved to Chappaqua, New York, to establish residency. She resumed her duties after winning her campaign. She was both first lady and a U.S. senator for 17 days. This was before Bill Clinton's term ended.
First Ladies in Museums
The First Ladies Collection started in 1912. It is 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. At first, it focused mostly on fashion. Now, the exhibit shows more about what first ladies have done for American society.
In 2008, "First Ladies at the Smithsonian" opened. This was at the National Museum of American History. It led to a bigger exhibit on first ladies' history. This new exhibit opened in November 2011. "The First Ladies" explores the unofficial but important role of first lady. It shows how different women shaped the role. They made their own contributions to the presidencies and the nation. The exhibit has 26 dresses and over 160 other items. These range from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama. It includes White House china, personal items, and other objects. These are from the Smithsonian's special collection of first ladies' materials.
How First Ladies Influence Others
Some first ladies have become famous for their clothes and style. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis became a global fashion icon. Her style was copied by clothing makers. Many young women imitated her look. She was even added to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1965.
Mamie Eisenhower was named one of the twelve best-dressed women. This was by the New York Dress Institute every year she was First Lady. The "Mamie Look" included full-skirted dresses. It also featured charm bracelets, pearls, small hats, and bobbed hair. 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 Projects
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 for her projects. Here are some recent causes of first ladies:
- Lou Henry Hoover:
- Helped restore the White House.
- Eleanor Roosevelt:
- Supported Women's rights.
- Worked for civil rights.
- Helped with humanitarian efforts.
- Jacqueline Kennedy:
- Focused on White House restoration and the Arts.
- Lady Bird Johnson:
- Promoted environmental protection and beautification.
- Pat Nixon:
- Encouraged volunteerism.
- Betty Ford:
- Supported women's rights.
- Rosalynn Carter:
- Helped with Mental health awareness.
- Nancy Reagan:
- Led the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign.
- Barbara Bush:
- Promoted childhood literacy (reading).
- Hillary Clinton:
- Worked on healthcare in the United States.
- Laura Bush:
- Supported childhood literacy.
- Michelle Obama:
- Started "Let's Move!" to reduce childhood obesity.
- Launched "Let Girls Learn" to increase education for girls.
- Melania Trump:
- Created "Be Best" for cyberbullying awareness.
- Jill Biden:
- Focused on "Joining Forces" for military families.
- Supported 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
