The First Ladies

by Susan Clinton

Dramatic and defining moments in American history come vividly the life in the Cornerstones of Freedom series. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0516066730
• ISBN13: 9780516066738
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Children's Press(CT)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.3" x 9.8"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

An excellent brief synopsis of an often neglected area of history

There is no position in the United States government that matches the role of what has until now been called "The First Lady." When we hear that term, we think of the wife of the president of the United States but the fact is that people other than the President's spouse have held the position. In the cases where the President was unmarried, female relatives served as the official hostess for White House gatherings. Many also tend to think that the First Lady engaging in political activity is a recent phenomenon. That is historically inaccurate; some of the very first women to hold the position were politically active and made their opinions and influence known. Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Dolly Madison were all extremely active in the affairs of the government. It was gratifying to see that Clinton is very clear about the power of these women in the early years of the country. The popular history is that Eleanor Roosevelt was the first First Lady to become active, this myth should be debunked and it is done in this book. The role and history of the First Lady of the United States is something that should be learned in elementary school, as they can and do serve as role models for the half of the population that is female. This book makes that possible.