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 Martha Jefferson died 18 years before Thomas Jefferson was elected President in 1800. Her daughter Polly Jefferson Randolph on occasion served as hostess during the White House years. Both women are included in the biography and bibliography. Jefferson, Marthaview biographyview bibliographyview manuscriptsview timeline |
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 Despite the fact that Elizabeth Monroe was First Lady for 8 years, very little primary source material exists for her. During the last days of the French Revolution she made a name for herself by her courageous visit to the imprisoned wife of Marquis de Lafayette. Monroe, Elizabethview biographyview bibliographyview manuscriptsview timeline |
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 Hannah Hoes Van Buren died 18 years before her husband, Martin Van Buren became President. One year and eight months after he took office he designated his new daughter in law, Angelica Singleton Van Buren to serve as hostess for the White House. Both women are included in the biography and bibliography Van Buren, Hannahview biographyview bibliographyview manuscriptsview timeline |
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 “Since this Society has been organized and so much thought and reading directed to the early struggles of this country, it has been made plain that much of its success was due to the character of the women of that era. The unselfish part they acted constantly commends itself to our admiration and example.” Harrison, Carolineview biographyview bibliographyview manuscriptsJuvenile Bio |
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 “Being in centre of things is very interesting, yet the same proportions remain. When I read “The World is to much with us” or “Oh for a closer walk with God” they mean just what they did, so I don’t believe I have been forced into the “first lady of the land” model of my predecessors.” Roosevelt, Edithview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
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 “So began my stewardship. I studied every paper, sent from the different Secretaries or senators, and tried to digest and present in tabloid form the things that, despite my vigilance, had to go to the President. I myself never made a single decision regarding the disposition of public affairs. The only decision that was mine was what was important and what was not, and the very important decision of when to present matters to my husband.”.” Wilson, Edithview biographyview bibliographyview manuscriptsJuvenile Bio |
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 “...this was I and not yet I, this was the wife of the President of the United States and she took precedence over me; my personal like and dislikes must be subordinated to the consideration of those things which were required of her...” Coolidge, Graceview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
 “It is very possible to have both a home and a career, (for) in this modern age we are released from so many of the burdens our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had to bear.” Hoover, Louview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
 “…but there isn’t going to be any First Lady. There is just to be plain, ordinary Mrs. Roosevelt…I never wanted to be the president’s wife, and don’t want it now. You don’t quite believe me, do you? Very likely no one would-except possibly some woman who had had the job.” Roosevelt, Eleanorview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
 “We are not any one of us happy to be where we are but there’s nothing to be done about it except to do our best-and forget about the sacrifices and many unpleasant things that bob up.” Truman, Bessview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
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 “I don’t think that there is any doubt that the First Ladies have some influence on their husbands, because they are close to them, they talk with them all the time, they have the presidents’ ear. I don’t think there is any doubt about it.” Carter, Rosalynnview biographyview bibliographyview manuscriptsJuvenile Bio |
 “I think it’s an important, legitimate role for a First Lady to look after a President’s health and well being. And if that interferes with other plans, so be it. No first lady need to make apologies for looking out for her husband’s personal welfare…The First Lady is, first of all, a wife.” Reagan, Nancyview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
 “The First Lady is going to be criticized no matter what she does. If she does too little. If she does too much. And I think you just have to be yourself and do the best you can. And so what? That’s the way it is.” Bush, Barbaraview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
 “The American people have made the role of the First Lady one of the most important jobs in the country. ... It is a tribute to American women that, coming from different social and economic backgrounds, from many different geographical regions, and with diverse educational preparation, each First Lady served our country so well. Each left her own mark, and each teaches us something special about our history.” Clinton, Hillaryview biographyview bibliographyview manuscripts |
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