The first lady isn’t simply the president’s wife; she is also an important figure in executive government with a set of expectations and responsibilities. Even though the first lady is not an official government role, each first lady tends to choose specific responsibilities they believe to be important, while maintaining previous traditions set for the first lady, such as visually representing the U.S. positively. Although Jacqueline Kennedy and Dolley Madison both used fashion to maintain positive public view and were each integral to her husband’s success as president, they each had different ideas of how the first lady should be politically involved, whether it be as a preservationist of the White House or a hostess of it. Fashion played
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For example, Jacqueline Kennedy personally assisted her husband in improving his public speaking skills and aided her husband in his campaign for president, despite her being in the last months of pregnancy at the time ("Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.”) Kennedy also hosted many informal events in the White House, which gave the American public a more approachable view of her and the John F. Kennedy. This is quite similar to Dolley Madison’s frequent inclusive parties, because the American public’s view of the presidential couple improved as an effect of these parties. Dolley Madison was also willing to sacrifice greatly for her husband’s work as president. During the War of 1812, James Madison went to assist in the war, leaving his wife to run the the White House. But with the impending danger of British forces coming to obliterate the capitol, Dolley describes her plan to save vital government documents in a letter to her sister: “I am accordingly ready; I have pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage; our private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to procure wagons for its transportation” (Dolley Madison). Putting the work of her husband over her personal comfort or preferences made Dolley a highly respected public figure, and also ensured the success of James Madison in the
For example, Jacqueline Kennedy personally assisted her husband in improving his public speaking skills and aided her husband in his campaign for president, despite her being in the last months of pregnancy at the time ("Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis.”) Kennedy also hosted many informal events in the White House, which gave the American public a more approachable view of her and the John F. Kennedy. This is quite similar to Dolley Madison’s frequent inclusive parties, because the American public’s view of the presidential couple improved as an effect of these parties. Dolley Madison was also willing to sacrifice greatly for her husband’s work as president. During the War of 1812, James Madison went to assist in the war, leaving his wife to run the the White House. But with the impending danger of British forces coming to obliterate the capitol, Dolley describes her plan to save vital government documents in a letter to her sister: “I am accordingly ready; I have pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage; our private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to procure wagons for its transportation” (Dolley Madison). Putting the work of her husband over her personal comfort or preferences made Dolley a highly respected public figure, and also ensured the success of James Madison in the