June 2 National First Ladies Day

06/02/2021

June 2: National First Ladies’ Day

Since George Washington became president in 1789, the USA has always had a first lady. From Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden, First Ladies have acted as the hostess for the nation. Eleanor Roosevelt was the first to step into the limelight and champion her own causes: women’s rights, civil rights and humanitarianism. Since then, every has promoted important issues close to their hearts, from the arts (Jacqueline Kennedy) to mental health (Rosalynn Carter), volunteerism (Pat Nixon), childhood literacy (Laura Bush) and reducing childhood obesity (Michelle Obama).

It is important to note that not all first ladies were president’s wives, as several times the president has been a bachelor or widower or his wife was unable to fulfill the duties of the role.  Martha Jefferson Randolph, Mary Harrison McKee and Mary Elizabeth Bliss all served as first ladies under their presidential fathers, other such First Ladies included Sarah Yorke Jackson (daughter-in-law to President Jackson), Emily Donelson (Jackson’s wife’s niece), Harriet Lane (Buchanan’s niece) and Rose Cleveland (Cleveland’s sister).

Today, we have five living former first ladies: Rosalyn Carter, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump. As we have not yet elected a female president, the title for the male spouse of a president has not yet been set in stone. Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband is known as the Second Gentleman, suggesting that the title of First Gentleman would be a likely one.

Penworthy carries a full line of presidential biographies as well as biographies of kid-favorite first lady Michelle Obama. Hats off to our first ladies on their special day!