Building the American Republic
Remembering the First Ladies
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the legacies of First Ladies, from Martha Washington to Melania Trump, reveal their profound influence on the nation’s continually evolving story.
As America marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s Presidents and First Ladies are a unique entry point to reflect on our past through the vital lens of their leadership, struggles, resilience, and influence – stories from our history that encourage us to examine on what leadership in a democracy means. The stories of our Founding Fathers and the men who succeeded them are well documented in history books. But, history courses have seldom included as thorough a review of the vital role played by the women who stood beside the presidents as First Ladies.