The Cambridge companion to US first ladies / edited by Lisa M. Burns, Teri Finneman.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Burns, Lisa M., editor.

Finneman, Teri Ann, editor.

Series:

Cambridge companions to history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Presidents' spouses--United States--History.

Presidents' spouses.

Presidents' spouses--United States--Biography.

Presidents' spouses--United States--Social life and customs.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xviii, 409 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Summary:

First ladies have always received a great deal of attention and are among the most recognizable figures of any presidential administration. They're often treated as celebrities, making them some of the most prominent women of their eras. Yet many of their stories and contributions have been overlooked. Through a collection of thematic essays, The Cambridge Companion to US First Ladies provides a thorough and compelling examination of the development of the first lady institution, and the political, social, and cultural influence of the women who've served in this role. Topics covered include the evolution of various first lady roles, such as hostess, campaigner, surrogate, diplomat, social advocate, and trendsetter; how first ladies have been political assets and liabilities; the impact of first ladies' speeches and media usage; first ladies during wartime and presidential deaths; the contributions of first lady stand-ins; how presidential spouses have been represented in films; and how these women are memorialized and remembered-or forgotten.

Contents:

Introduction / Lisa M. Burns

US first ladies : political assets and liabilities / Tammy R. Vigil

First lady stand-ins / Mary Stockwell

First ladies in wartime / Thomas J. Balcerski

First ladies and international diplomacy / Elizabeth J. Natalle

First ladies, slavery, and civil rights / Sarah Fling

First ladies as social advocates / Kelly Marino

First ladies, suffrage, and the Equal Rights Amendment / Melody Lehn

Examining the impact of gender norms on first ladies' speeches

Newly Paul

First ladies as trendsetters / Courtney Caudle Travers

First ladies' strategic use of electronic media / Lisa M. Burns and Shaniece B. Bickham.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 10 Jan 2025).

ISBN:

9781009502801

1009502808

9781009502818

1009502816

9781009502788

1009502786

OCLC:

1460256897