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Feisty First Ladies and Other Unforgettable White House Women
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“In the Bible it says they asked Jesus how many times you should forgive, and He said seventy times seven. Well, I want you all to know that I’m keeping a chart.”
—Hillary Rodham Clinton
Autumn Stephens,
From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, Stephens exposes some new insights on the First Ladies who’ve kept the White House more interesting than their husbands could have ever attempted.
Dolley Madison
For instance, did you know that Martha Washington had a side to her that reflected a bit of Marie Antoinette? Or did you know that Abigail Adams was a staunch feminist?
Dolley Madison is certainly one of my favorite First Ladies. She was quite fond of wearing dresses with naughty necklines that emphasized her bust. It’s true.
Dolley also knew how to work a dance floor. In fact, George Washington was quoted for having said that Dolley was, “the sprightliest partner I’ve ever had.” Maybe this is because she was also known for often dipping into her “snuff” box in public.
And what about Mary Lincoln? While the country was preparing for war, this First Lady found solace in reckless shopping. In fact, such an indulgence brought her to a debt close to $30,000. And whenever she didn’t get what she wanted, this (at the time) mid-forty-year-old would often fling herself onto the floor, erratically kicking and screaming like a kindergarten student. You can imagine what it must have been like having to work for Mrs. Lincoln. Well, if you’re actually trying imagine this — don’t! Mrs. Lincoln was known for firing her domestic staff on a whim. The Illinois Register said this about her, “[A] course, vain, unamiable woman [with] the peevish assurance of a baseless parvenue.”
Jacqueline Kennedy
Did you know Jacqueline Kennedy was an ex-Republican who never voted until she met JFK?
It’s a fact.
In a 1964
This of course meant that she was also favored by the press.
Her fame continued to soar right up until the time she later married Aristotle Onassis.
Nancy Reagan
And anyone who followed politics in the 1980s knows all too well of “Queen Nancy”. When President Ronald Reagan was revamping the welfare budget, Queen Nancy Reagan was spending $900,000 on a White House makeover. Not far later,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
More recently, Hillary Clinton may be “keeping a chart” on all the times she’s forgiven people, but I’m certain the press has forgiven her more times than seventy times seven. In fact, the press often referred to her as “Empress Clinton” for her firm and demanding policies on health care reform. And even though Family Circle reported that Hillary Clinton made better chocolate chip cookies than her Republican counterpart Barbara Bush,
Laura Bush
Though married to an alleged conservative Republican, Laura Bush is noted as having some liberal sympathies. In fact, when discussing the 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, Laura Bush had felt that legalized abortion should not be overturned. Perhaps this former school teacher and librarian should have had her views more widely addressed in the public’s eye? Laura Bush did, however, tell reporters, “If I differ with my husband, I’m not going to tell you about it—sorry.”
And what of our newest, Mrs. Michelle Obama?
Well . . . there are certainly some interesting tidbits on this White House First Lady. President Barack Obama offered, “She’s the best Hula-Hooper I know.”
Was President Barack Obama being literal or figurative?
Feisty First Ladies and Other Unforgettable White House Women
by Autumn Stephens
Viva Editions (an imprint of Cleis Press)
January 2009, 216 pages, trade paper
ISBN 978-1-57344-356-2
$16.95 (
FOR MORE INFO
EMAIL: tonyrodriguez@hotmail.com
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