2 Comments

1. LCGspeak on August 24, 2011 at 12:38 pm

   Hi Mike,

   Here’s how I rank “Influential First Ladies”

   1. Abigail Adams (She wasn’t called “First Lady.” The term became part of the vocabulary during the mid-19th century.) Abigail Adams operated as a cabinet level advisor to President Adams, especially during the second half of his term when Adam’s lost faith in or became estranged from most of his cabinet officers. Adams relied heavily on her political instincts and advice.

   2. Hillary Clinton – Essentially a co-President for all of Bill Clinton’s first term and the beginning of his second term.

   3. Eleanor Roosevelt – It’s hard not to be influential when your husband is elected President four times! She served important public communications functions by traveling widely, speaking often, and writing on issues like race relations and women’s rights.

   4. Edith Galt Wilson – Was also essentially co-president when she operated extra-constitutionally during President Wilson’s 19 month disability from 1919 until his term ended in 1921.

   5. Mary Todd Lincoln – President Lincoln relied heavily on her political instincts, ability to size up others, and network of strategic alliances.

   Other wives that influenced their Presidential husband’s and arguably could have made my list ahead of Mary Todd Lincoln – Dolley Madison, Nancy Reagan, Helen “Nellie” Taft, and Lou Hoover.

   Just one man’s opinion.

   All the best,

   Ed

2. Mike Purdy on August 25, 2011 at 12:07 pm

   Great comments, Ed. Very perceptive.