Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis By far in my opinion the most interesting and mysterious First Lady who has ever graced the White House. Although I was only in Junior High School when she became First Lady I was awestruck with "Jackie" from the start. Her quiet demeanor impressed me while making me wonder "Who was this woman?" and I wanted to find out the answer to that question with all my being. Her life and her growth from a "shy" and "gentle" soul to a woman of "boldness" and "courage" encourages me to this day to be the best I can be. Behind this woman's life was an incredible amount of intrigue, mystery, and boldness that amazed me back then and makes me wish I knew her whole story to this very day. She handled the loss of those she loved, betrayal by those she loved, and even some "shunning" from those she loved with grace and dignity and still managed to live with a confident boldness throughout all the things life brought her way. I admired her even when I didn't agree with everything she did. Who was your favorite First Lady...and why?
She was definitely #1 to me. I haven't had a very high opinion of most of the other First Ladies who had that role during my lifetime, with the possible exception of Rosalynn Carter- I didn't know much about Mrs. Carter, she just seemed like a nice person. Jackie: class, grace, courage, and a quiet dignity. I also admired the fact that she lived her life on her own terms, and didn't let anyone push her around. A book I found recently has a lot of info in it- it's called "What Jackie Taught Us," and has sections by people who knew her.
I can remember the "talk" about her when she married Onassis. It was ugly and I never thought she deserved what people were saying. In my opinion she was securing the safety and privacy of her children even if she sacrificed a part of her life in this. That's what mothers do all the time for their children. I liked both the Carters. They made me feel "at home" in the White House during their stay there. I think Janice that the book you mentioned would be another one I would greatly enjoy reading.
Well I really liked Barbara Bush, for she made me feel secure somehow. image from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:First_Lady_Barbara_Bush.jpg.
Well @Sheldon Scott what made these First Ladies the best in your opinion? I definitely admired the open love, affection, and loyalty Nancy Reagan gave to her husband "Ronnie" in front of the whole world! And how he returned that same love, affection, and loyalty to her. Their marriage was one for a great Novel for sure...at least to me.
http://www.firstladies.org/FacinatingFacts.aspx Fascinating Facts Little-known facts about our First Ladies Martha Washington, 1731-1802 George Washington’s wife was the first to be given the title “lady” by the press, as in “Lady Washington,” and the first wife of a president to appear on U.S. postage stamp. Abigail Adams, 1744-1818 John Adams’ wife urged her husband to “remember the ladies” when he was writing the nation’s Declaration of Independence in 1776. She also was the first woman to be both a president’s wife and the mother of a president, and the first to live in the White House. Martha Jefferson, 1748-1782 No known portrait exists of Thomas Jefferson’s wife, who died 18 years before her husband was elected president. Their daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph served as White House hostess, and was the first to give birth in the presidential mansion in Washington, D.C.
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/firstladiesus/ig/First-Ladies-Picture-Gallery/ Martha Washington Abigail Adams Dolly Madison
My favorite first lady in Eleanor Roosevelt. She had a lonely upbringing and knew she was less that attractive. Instead of feeling depressed, she decided to focus on others, develop strong friendships, and develop her mind. I believe she truly did want to help people and to do good during her time in the white house.