Remember The Ladies

While their husbands may get the majority of the glory, the responsibilities of First Lady often go unacknowledged. Between charity work, hosting and planning events, and providing emotional support to their husbands (or whichever male family member happened to be in office), the First Lady has a lot resting on her shoulders. Here are 20 fabulous first ladies who went above and beyond, redefining their roles and changing the course of history.

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1. Dolley Madison

Brought up in a modest Quaker community, Dolley Madison first served as First Lady in an unofficial capacity for widower Thomas Jefferson. When it was it was time for her husband to assume the presidency, Dolley was already skilled in wielding soft power as a domestic diplomat. Dolley was also cool under pressure, preventing Washington's portrait from falling into British hands during the War of 1812.

Gilbert Stuart on Wikimedia

2. Abigail Adams

Best known for reminding her husband to "Remember the Ladies", Abigail Adams possessed an extraordinary mind and was not shy about voicing her opinions. A self-taught woman, Abigail was an early advocate for equal education and property rights. Abigail also held abolitionist views, extending her educational advocacy to the free Black children of Philadelphia.

Gilbert Stuart on Wikimedia

3. Betty Ford

Just weeks after Betty Ford became First Lady, she underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer, a disease which was still stigmatized, despite accounting for 30% of all cancer cases in women. In the wake of the Watergate scandal, Betty saw no sense in keeping quiet about her health, encouraging self-examination across the country. Betty was also a staunch supporter of abortion rights following Roe v. Wade. 

David Hume Kennerly on Wikimedia

4. Edith Wilson

Following the Paris Peace Conference, Woodrow Wilson suffered from a  devastating stroke which left him bedridden and partially paralyzed. For the next year and a half, Edith Wilson stepped in as a "steward" between her husband and the public. Edith helped her husband fill out paperwork, decoded messages, and even pushed for the removal of the Secretary of State, who tried to go over her husband's head.

Genthe, Arnold, 1869-1942, photographer on Wikimedia

5. Rosalynn Carter

While presidents are normally the ones making campaign promises, Rosalynn Carter made history with a promise of her own. A devoted advocate of mental health, Rosalynn vowed to reform legislation which demonized and stigmatized the mentally ill. Rosalynn had no intention of sitting pretty and hosting parties; she sat in on cabinet meetings and bolstered support for her husband

File:Rose Carter, official color photo, 1977.jpg: White House derivative work: Hagar (User talk:Hagar) on Wikimedia

6. Frances Cleveland

Frances Cleveland was actually the second First Lady to serve during her husband's presidency—prior to the marrying, Grover Cleveland's sister Rose assumed the duties. Called the "Jackie Kennedy of the 19th century", France Cleveland was a fashionable trendsetter who established the White House kindergarten and encouraged independent women to attend federal functions.

Charles Milton Bell / Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia

7. Caroline Harrison

Caroline Harrison was initially ill-received as First Lady. Being a private, well-educated, modest woman, Caroline was more interested in funding the arts than hosting state dinners. At the start of her husband's term, Caroline reconstructed and modernized large parts of the White House, which was dingy, crumbling, and infested with rats.

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8. Florence Harding

A controversial choice for First Lady, Florence Kling was a divorced single mother when she married Warren G. Harding. Florence had a strong personality, and achieved many "firsts" for First Ladies such as voting (for her husband, of course), operating a movie camera, and owning a radio. With droves of immigrants arriving to America, Florence expressed concern for those trapped by bureaucracy, particularly victims of the Armenian genocide.

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9. Sarah Polk

Wealthy, ambitious, and intelligent, Sarah Polk was one of few politician's wives who was fully engaged with her husband's profession. This was largely due in part to her and her husband bearing no children, which allowed them both to devote their full attentions to their ambitions. Sarah's tenure as First Lady was marked by strong adherence to her Presbyterian faith, forbidding both dancing and drinking at the White House.

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10. Harriet Lane

As the only bachelor president, James Buchanan chose an unconventional first lady: his niece, Harriet Lane. Harriet was orphaned at a young age and loved her uncle like a father, following him to Washington. Harriet was considered the first "modern" First lady, setting fashion trends across the country, promoting social causes, and even inspiring songs.

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11. Edith Roosevelt

Edith Roosevelt was initially hesitant to become First Lady, fearing for her husband's safety, but she eventually grew to enjoy it. Edith preferred a hands-off approach to leadership, relying on cateres, ushers, and other servants to help lighten the load of her many responsibilities. Edith was responsible for significant architectural renevations and invited world-renowned musicians to perform at the White House.

Frances Benjamin Johnston / Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia

12. Abigail Fillmore

In the years leading up to the Civil War, the position of First Lady was often given very ignored, as with the case of Abigail Fillmore. A reserved woman who grew up in poverty, Abigail cared little for interior design and lavish parties. Abigail's true passion was reading; she established the White House Library, which served as both a center of learning and a literary salon.

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13. Lucretia Garfield

Lucretia Garfield was the first  preisidential spouse to appear on a campaign poster, and her "front door comapaign" helped secure the presidency for her husband. Lucretia insisted on being inside the political loop, advocating for the inclusion of certain advisors. Lucretia's time in office was short; she contracted a serious case of malaria two months in, and, during her recovery, her husbanfd's life was tragically taken.

Mathew Benjamin Brady / Levin Corbin Handy on Wikimedia

14. Martha Washington

"Mrs. President" forged a new path for women of the country when she became the first First Lady, though the title was not in use at the time. Martha Washington took her wedding vows seriously, standing by her husband for better or worse—spending five years of the American Revolution tending to wounded and delivering supplies through the bitter cold.

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15. Lady Bird Johnson

Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson had a nack for business and beautification. Already the owner of radio and television stations by the time she became First Lady, Lady Bird had difficut shoes to step into following Jacqueline Kennedy. Lady Bird is best known for her Highway Beautification Act, which was an important step in the growing environmental movement.

Elizabeth Shoumatoff on Wikimedia

16. Julia Grant

Some First Ladies did not enjoy their position, but Julia Grant adored it, calling it the "happiest period" of her life. Julia focused on making the White House feel welcoming to the public, frequently hosting parties and dinners for esteemed guests. Julia was also the first First Lady to write a memoir, setting her story straight in her own words.

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17. Eleanor Roosevelt

The "First Lady of the world", Eleanor Roosevelt is considered by many to be one of the greatest Americans in history. Whether it was vocally supporting the civil rights movement, appointing women to positions of power, or lobbying for increased immigration during WWII, Eleanor stood her ground. She was posthumously a human rights prize by the UN.

FDR Presidential Library & Museum on Wikimedia

18. Helen Taft

Helen Taft yearned for a place in the White House after visiting it as a young girl—a place which she eventually earned. In fact, Helen played a significant role in convincing her husband to run for president and was not shy about voicing her opinions, even when they contradicted her husband's. Helen was responsible for modernizing and beautifying the White House, though her role was impacted by a stroke.

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19. Lou Hoover

Not just a first lady, Lou Hoover was also one of the first American women to graduate with a degree in geology! A lifelong athlete, Lou was one of the Girl Scouts' strongest supporters and encouraged women to exercise both their bodies and minds. During the Depression, Lou directly supported struggling citizens, doing so anonymously to avoid promotion.

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20. Louisa Adams

The first First Lady to be born on foreign soil, Louisa Adams was a woman of the world, being one of the most travelled woman of her time. Louisa accompanied her husband on diplomatic missions to Prussia, Russia, and London, wowing audiences with her poise and musical skill. Unfortunately, a fraught marriage combined with bouts of physical and mental illness made Louisa's time in the White House largely unpleasant.

Gilbert Stuart on Wikimedia