Discuss how the role of first lady has evolved over the course of the twentieth century and into today.
What will be an ideal response?
In today’s world popular views of the role of first lady have been undergoing considerable change. This is due, in no small part, to the women’s movement and the ever-increasing number of women in national politics, including Hillary Clinton who won the popular vote for president in the 2016 election. An early twentieth-century sign of impending change came when Edith Wilson, wife of incapacitated president Woodrow Wilson, assumed charge of many of her husband’s official duties. Eleanor Roosevelt, whose husband was elected to an unprecedented four consecutive terms in office, also took an active interest in public affairs even after her husband’s death. During the 1960s perceptions regarding the proper role of women in government came under increasing scrutiny and more changes soon followed. Rosalynn Carter, wife of President Jimmy Carter, who served during the late 1970s, attended cabinet meetings. Hillary Clinton led the charge for health care reform under President Bill Clinton and later won election as a junior senator from New York. She also later served as secretary of state and won the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. Despite these changes, some first ladies continued to maintain a more traditional, nonpolitical role, such as Nancy Reagan who led a nationwide campaign against drug abuse and Laure Bush who addressed issues of education and literacy. And Michelle Obama avoided taking on any type of active policymaking role during her husband’s administration.
You might also like to view...
In democracies, all structures perform the same functions
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.
There has been a long-term trend toward more partnerships and shared government policy making with active participation from both private and public stakeholders
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
Egyptian cities are characterized by social inequality
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
Shays' Rebellion plays an important role in American history for which of the following reasons?
A. It represents the first major battle to occur in the southern colonies during the American Revolution. B. It anticipated the states' rights battle. C. It was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. D. It made obvious the weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation. E. It enabled the colonists to reorganize and gain the upper hand against the British in the Revolutionary War.