Comments on: Happy First Ladies Day!

By: Barb

Barb — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:43:27 +0000

(I was just introduced to your blog so am reading these entries late!)

Love it! I agree. There should definitely be a First Ladies’ Day.

My favorite First Lady would be Barbara Bush (maybe a little biased because of her first name! LOL). I admire that woman so much. She was always just a “down home” person.

My close second choice would be Laura Bush. A classy lady and gentle person.

By: zoom

zoom — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:51:00 +0000

I squealed with glee, because I remember reading, what has to be, the same biography about Dolley Madison. After I read the book, I would play Dolley Madison. My mission was to try to save the backporch/ White House from the British.

Abigail Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt are two women I admire for their independence and intelligence. I love Lady Bird for cultivating the wildflowers of Texas.

I am still moved by Nancy Reagan’s devotion to her Ronnie. Who can forget her laying her head on his coffin?

Betty Ford gets high marks in my book for conquering her addiction, and paving the way for other people to not feel ashamed.

As much as I used detest Hillary Clinton, I have come to admire her grit and steadfast determination.

Julia Grant and Grace Coolidge both had a great sense of humor. I think to survive in that venue, one would have to keep some levity to remain sane.

By: Roxanne

Roxanne — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:01:23 +0000

I love reading about First Ladies. . .and am still a little curious as to what they will call the husband of the first female president. Hmmmmm. . .

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:47:08 +0000

My favorite first lady has always been Mary Todd Lincoln. Regardless of the speculation about her character and her promiscuity in advance of her marriage to Abraham Lincoln, I have always admired the statements she and Abraham Lincoln both made about the importance of their family life. I would have loved to meet her.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:20:36 +0000

What a great tribute to the women behind the men!
I personally think Laura Bush exemplifies CLASS. She is my number 1 pick, and I am so proud she is from Texas, too!
I watched the HBO series on John Adams last spring(which I know should not be solely relied on for completely accurate info). Nonetheless,I grew to have a deep respect for Abigail, who endured long separations from him as he traveled all over as Ambassador in the beginning days of the U.S. Not only did she raise those children almost singlehandedly, but she kept up the PR while John was away…and seemed to handle it all with strength of character and grace.

***
Abigail Adams was the first First Lady to be a president’s wife as well as a president’s mother (presidents 2 and 6). The next time that would happen would be Barbara Bush (presidents 41 and 43).

By: bonniebeth

bonniebeth — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:47:10 +0000

I read the biography of Pat Nixon and she was a fascinating and wonderfully strong lady. Grace under fire would be a good description of her. Not only was she a wonderful first lady, but she was wonderful as the vice president’s wife, too…as she had to take on many governmental duties and travels while her children were small because of Pres. Eisenhower’s heart attack.

We tend to skim over the Nixon years as they bring up unpleasant memories for our country. But Pat was a jewel.

By: Jenn @ Casa de Castro

Jenn @ Casa de Castro — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:58:28 +0000

Didn’t Jackie Kennedy remarry? She married Aristotle Onassis, didn’t she? That’d be TWO who outlived their husbands but remarried.

Fun facts! Fun post!

***
The eight First Ladies whose husbands died while in the White House are Anna Harrison, Margaret Taylor, Mary Todd Lincoln, Lucretia Garfield, Ida McKinley, Florence Harding, Eleanor Roosevelt and Jacqueline Kennedy. Only Jacqueline Kennedy remarried — and was criticized for doing so.

Frances Cleveland was widowed after she left the White House. I find it interesting that she was only 21 and he was 48 when they married. Seems a little scandalous by today’s standards.

But yes, only two First Ladies ever remarried.

By: jean

jean — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:06:23 +0000

Here, Here. I agree with you. Behind every great man is an even greater woman.

By: Beverlydru

Beverlydru — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:50:45 +0000

I’m putting in my vote for Elenore Roosevelt. Not pretty in the world’s exptected way, but so full of strength, optimism and wisdom. My 102 year old grandmother would define her the way she does the women in our family; they are charming and educated and to be respected and admired. She really tells people that – I just love it.

By: Sarah at themommylogues

Sarah at themommylogues — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:05:18 +0000

Oh my goodness, I’m about to spend an entire day on the National First Ladies Library website. I just read all about Mary Lincoln. Now I might just go back to the beginning and read them all. I did not have time for this but HOW FASCINATING. Seriously. Mary Lincoln’s story has always ended for me when Abe was shot, but she was so traumatized she wouldn’t leave the White House. And then her son had her committed. Her brothers fought for the Confederacy. I’m stuck now, and about to become slightly obsessed with First Ladies.