Rosalynn Carter
Adapted from an image courtesy of the US Library of Congress
(August 18, 1927 - )
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter knew Jimmy Carter (president 1977 - 1981) from childhood, marrying him in 1946. After traveling with him during his naval service, she helped run his family's peanut and warehouse business. When Jimmy Carter launched his political career, Rosalynn Carter took over managing the business during his absences for campaigning or at the state capital, and she also assisted in his legislative office and developed her interest in mental health reform. As First Lady, Rosalynn Carter eschewed traditional First Lady activities, instead playing an active role as her husband's advisor and partner, sometimes attending cabinet meetings. She lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith Carter knew Jimmy Carter (president 1977 - 1981) from childhood, marrying him in 1946. After traveling with him during his naval service, she helped run his family's peanut and warehouse business. When Jimmy Carter launched his political career, Rosalynn Carter took over managing the business during his absences for campaigning or at the state capital, and she also assisted in his legislative office and developed her interest in mental health reform. As First Lady, Rosalynn Carter eschewed traditional First Lady activities, instead playing an active role as her husband's advisor and partner, sometimes attending cabinet meetings. She lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
Nancy Reagan
Adapted from an image courtesy of the US Library of Congress
(July 6, 1921 - )
Nancy Davis Reagan and Ronald Reagan met when both were actors. She was stepmother to his two children from his first marriage as well as mother to their son and daughter. During Ronald Reagan's time as California governor, Nancy Reagan was active in POW/MIA issues, and as First Lady focused on a "Just Say No" campaign against drug and alcohol abuse. She played a strong behind-the-scenes role during her husband's presidency (1981 - 1989), and criticized for her "cronyism" and for consulting astrologers for advice about her husband's travels and work. During her husband's long decline with Alzheimer's disease she supported him and worked to protect his public memory through the Reagan Library.
Nancy Davis Reagan and Ronald Reagan met when both were actors. She was stepmother to his two children from his first marriage as well as mother to their son and daughter. During Ronald Reagan's time as California governor, Nancy Reagan was active in POW/MIA issues, and as First Lady focused on a "Just Say No" campaign against drug and alcohol abuse. She played a strong behind-the-scenes role during her husband's presidency (1981 - 1989), and criticized for her "cronyism" and for consulting astrologers for advice about her husband's travels and work. During her husband's long decline with Alzheimer's disease she supported him and worked to protect his public memory through the Reagan Library.
Barbara Bush
Adapted from a portrait courtesy of the White House
(June 8, 1925 - )
Like Abigail Adams, Barbara Pierce Bush was wife of a Vice President, First Lady, and then mother of a President. Barbara Bush met George H. W. Bush at a dance when she was 17, and dropped out of college to marry him when he returned on leave from the Navy during World War II. When her husband served as American Vice President under Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush made literacy the cause on which she focused, and continued that interest in her role as First Lady (1989 - 1993). Barbara Bush also raised money for many causes and charities. In 1984 and 1990, she wrote books attributed to family dogs, with proceeds were given to her literacy foundation.
Like Abigail Adams, Barbara Pierce Bush was wife of a Vice President, First Lady, and then mother of a President. Barbara Bush met George H. W. Bush at a dance when she was 17, and dropped out of college to marry him when he returned on leave from the Navy during World War II. When her husband served as American Vice President under Ronald Reagan, Barbara Bush made literacy the cause on which she focused, and continued that interest in her role as First Lady (1989 - 1993). Barbara Bush also raised money for many causes and charities. In 1984 and 1990, she wrote books attributed to family dogs, with proceeds were given to her literacy foundation.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Adapted from an image courtesy of the White House
(October 26, 1947 - )
Hillary Rodham Clinton, educated at Wellesley College and Yale Law School, served in 1974 as counsel on the staff of the House Judiciary Committee which was considering impeachment of then-President Richard Nixon. She was First Lady during her husband Bill Clinton's presidency (1993 - 2001). Hillary Clinton managed the failed effort to seriously reform health care, she was the target of investigators and rumors for her involvement in the Whitewater scandal, and she defended and stood by her husband when he was accused and impeached during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. She was elected to the Senate from New York in 2001 and in 2007 began a campaign for the US presidency.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, educated at Wellesley College and Yale Law School, served in 1974 as counsel on the staff of the House Judiciary Committee which was considering impeachment of then-President Richard Nixon. She was First Lady during her husband Bill Clinton's presidency (1993 - 2001). Hillary Clinton managed the failed effort to seriously reform health care, she was the target of investigators and rumors for her involvement in the Whitewater scandal, and she defended and stood by her husband when he was accused and impeached during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. She was elected to the Senate from New York in 2001 and in 2007 began a campaign for the US presidency.
Laura Bush
Getty Images / Alex Wong
(November 4, 1946 - )
First Lady Laura Lane Welch Bush (2001-2009) met George W. Bush during his first campaign for Congress; he lost the race, but won her hand and they were married three months later. She had been working as an elementary school teacher and librarian. Uncomfortable with public speaking, she nevertheless used her popularity to promote her husband's candidacies, to promote reading for children, and to work on awareness of women's health problems including heart disease and breast cancer.
First Lady Laura Lane Welch Bush (2001-2009) met George W. Bush during his first campaign for Congress; he lost the race, but won her hand and they were married three months later. She had been working as an elementary school teacher and librarian. Uncomfortable with public speaking, she nevertheless used her popularity to promote her husband's candidacies, to promote reading for children, and to work on awareness of women's health problems including heart disease and breast cancer.
Michelle Obama
Getty Images / Chip Somodevilla
The first African American First Lady, Michelle Obama is a lawyer who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, and who worked on the staff of Mayor Richard M. Daley and for the University of Chicago doing community outreach. She met her future husband Barack Obama when she was an associate at a Chicago law firm and he briefly worked there.
