The Top 4 Classiest First Ladies

Published on June 8th, 2015 | by Abby Slagle

The White House has been graced with some truly beautiful and influential women, however, we have a few favorites that stand out.

#4: Eleanor Roosevelt is ranked by historians as one of the most influential first ladies, ever. She expanded

the role of the first lady from minute, domestic issues into lobbying for women’s rights, and later serving on various committees in the United Nations. For her time, Eleanor was highly educated, at home by a private tutor first, then after attended international private schools for girls, even though she later said that her greatest regret was not having a college education. She was a founding member of the Junior League and dedicated her life to improving working conditions for city workers and bringing focus to women’s rights. During her time in the white house, she served as the main caretaker for FDR after he contracted polio and managed her own newspaper column, called My Day, where she wrote about current events and social issues. After her husband’s death, President Truman appointed her to the United Nations, and she continued to serve the public for the rest of her life.

#3: Laura Bush: Though Laura Bush was raised in and spent the majority of her life in Midland, Texas, she

became one of the most active and well-traveled first ladies to date. After earning a masters degree from the University of Texas, she worked in a Houston library. Soon after she married George Bush, she quit her job at the library and dedicated her life to working on not only her husband’s, but also her father-in-law’s campaigns. Laura is the only first lady to give birth to twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. She is well-known for commenting on politics to the media, and gave a keynote speech at the Republican National Convention in 2000, and has lobbied in support of education reform in front of the Senate. Laura treated her role as first lady as an assistant, confidant, and equal to her husband’s job; she assisted him as much as possible in every national crisis that arose between 2000 and 2008, and did so with impeccable grace.

#2: Nancy Reagan is a truly talented woman who is famous for many accomplishments. From her career

as a movie star, to her perfect marriage to president Reagan, to her initiative to promote policy and social campaigns, she took a genuine pride in her role as first lady and was definitely impactful. Nancy met Ronald while working in Hollywood in 1959, and the two married in 1962. They had two children together, Patricia and Ronald Jr., and two children from previous marriages. She continued her acting career for a short time after they were married, and then devoted her time to being a wife and a mother. Nancy was known for always being by Ronald’s side both during campaigns, and during the presidency. She promoted his policies continuously and advocated for the “Just Say No” campaign that focused on eliminating drug usage in teens and young adults in America. Even after her time as first lady, she continued to be an activist for stem cell research and Alzheimer’s research, after Ronald’s death in 2004.

#1: While Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy may not have been the most influential first lady when it came to

policy influence and lawmaking, she is a true American Icon for her stylish outfits, classic role of being a mother and wife, and her courageous composure during the trying times that followed her husband’s tragic death. The Kennedy’s were seen by citizens as the perfect American family and many people felt they identified with her and “knew her”. From her custom suits to her signature pill-box hats and three strand pearl necklace, she coined the classic American look. When John was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963, a large percentage of the American public felt as though they had personally lost someone close to them and mourned with Jackie. She is renowned for her strength to stand by Lyndon B. Johnson while he took the Oath of Office just hours after her husbands death. She represents a timeless standard for all first ladies and what it means to be an American woman.