5 First Ladies Who Redefined the Role
The role of first lady has often been seen as ceremonial, rooted in hospitality, social engagement, and the management of White House events. The president’s spouse is expected to host gatherings, welcome dignitaries, and accompany the president at official functions — duties that are social in nature, but still help shape public perception of the presidency and project the values of the nation.
The women who have held this position have never been confined to protocol, however. Without a formal title or salary, many first ladies have carved out their own platforms — championing causes, serving as cultural ambassadors, and guiding national conversation. Each made the role her own, and some redefined it entirely. Here are five first ladies who changed the game during their time in the White House.
The First To Have a College Degree
In the early years of the nation, most first ladies had little or no formal education, reflecting the limited opportunities available to women at the time. Louisa Adams, the wife of John Quincy Adams, America’s sixth president, broke this pattern. She was the first person in the position to receive structured schooling, studying at a convent school in France from 1781 to 1783 and at a boarding school in England from 1784 to 1789. It wasn’t until decades later that Lucy Hayes, the wife of Rutherford B. Hayes, became the first U.S. first lady to have earned a college degree. In 1850, she graduated with a liberal arts degree from Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College, marking a milestone at a time when higher education for women was still rare.
Later first ladies expanded this legacy with advanced academic achievements. Laura Bush was the first with a master’s degree, receiving a Master of Library Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973. Hillary Clinton became the first to hold a law degree, having earned her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1973, a path later followed by Michelle Obama, the first Black first lady, who earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1988. Jill Biden reached the highest level of academic achievement to date, completing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at the University of Delaware in 2007.
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The First To Have Her Own Staff
In 1901, Edith Roosevelt, the wife of President Theodore Roosevelt, became the first U.S. first lady to hire her own staff. Recognizing the increasing demands of the White House and her own desire to manage them effectively, she appointed Isabella “Belle” Hagner as her social secretary. Hagner’s responsibilities included handling correspondence, planning events, and managing the first lady’s schedule. Before Roosevelt, the first lady’s duties were often managed informally by family members, friends, or existing White House staff, so this move established the necessity of a dedicated team to assist in the multifaceted duties of the position.
Having a staff marked an important shift in how the role of first lady was perceived and executed. In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy became the first U.S. first lady to hire a dedicated press secretary. She appointed Pamela Turnure to manage media inquiries, arrange interviews, and coordinate public appearances, professionalizing the role of first lady. In 1978, Rosalynn Carter became the first to establish a formal Office of the First Lady, which provided dedicated staffers and resources to support her initiatives. This move institutionalized the role, allowing future first ladies to operate with an official workspace and organizational support within the White House.
The First To Use Media as a Tool for Public Influence
Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, transformed the role of first lady by becoming the first to use media strategically to communicate directly with the public. She held regular press conferences — a whopping 348 over 12 years — and in 1935 launched her own syndicated newspaper column, “My Day,” which appeared six days a week. Through this platform, she became the first U.S. first lady to speak independently to millions nationwide, offering her perspectives on current events, social issues, and public policy.
Roosevelt’s example demonstrated that the first lady could extend her influence beyond ceremonial duties, using emerging technologies to connect with citizens and advocate for causes. Her pioneering use of media served as a model for future first ladies to shape public opinion and cultivate an independent public persona. In 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy became the first U.S. first lady to give a televised tour of the White House with the hour-long special A Tour of the White House With Mrs. John F. Kennedy, which was also the first documentary specifically marketed to a female audience.
The First To Speak Openly About Health Issues
Betty Ford transformed the first lady’s role by openly discussing her breast cancer diagnosis while in office in 1974, a time when such topics were rarely mentioned publicly. By sharing her experience, she encouraged women nationwide to get screened and helped break the stigma surrounding breast cancer. Her openness had a significant impact, prompting many women to seek medical advice and screenings, a phenomenon known as the “Betty Ford blip.”
After leaving the White House, she continued her health-related advocacy, speaking candidly about addiction and founding the Betty Ford Center, further solidifying her legacy as a champion for public health and personal honesty. Ford’s willingness to address these issues became a model for future first ladies to engage with health topics in meaningful ways, influencing public discourse and policy.
The First To Advocate for a Social Cause
From the very start, first ladies have used their position to work toward the betterment of the country. Martha Washington, the first U.S. first lady, actively supported the welfare of Revolutionary War soldiers, offering assistance to veterans in need and making herself approachable to those seeking help. Her example set an early precedent for using the White House as a platform for social advocacy.
Over time, first ladies expanded this role: Eleanor Roosevelt broke new ground by publicly championing human rights and speaking at international forums, while Lady Bird Johnson was the first to formally announce an agenda, promoting President Lyndon B. Johnson’s vision for a “Great Society,” including a war on poverty and initiatives to beautify public spaces. Together, their efforts helped define advocacy as a central expectation of the first lady.
Subsequent first ladies continued this legacy, focusing on causes that reflected both personal passions and national priorities. Nancy Reagan launched the “Just Say No” campaign to prevent drug abuse among children, and Barbara Bush championed literacy and family support initiatives. In each case, the cause reflected the first lady’s own perspective and priorities, showing how the office can shape public life in diverse and lasting ways.
