Ladies and gentlemen

Years ago, and well into my seventh month of pregnancy in New York City, it occurred to me one day that, as I would be unable to run from a fast predator, I was lucky not to run into an urban panther. These weekly blogs will consider women's lives from the perspective of one who is now older.

Is anyone else bothered by the title “First Lady,” which seems out-of-date and inadequate at best, classist and archaic at worst? We need a better title, something like “the woman-whose-support-was-instrumental-in-her-husband’s-getting-to-be-President.” I guess that would be awkward on the stationery.

Some First Ladies were clear that they worked closely with their husbands. Florence Harding said, “I put him in the White House. He does well when he listens to me and poorly when he does not.” Several First Ladies found the position unpleasant, even odious; Margaret Taylor prayed for her husband to lose the election. But, like it or not, they sacrificed their preferences and performed this very difficult duty, which they had not sought.

Lots of people probably know that Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the Daughters of the American Revolution when that group refused Constitution Hall as a concert venue for black contralto Marian Anderson, and that she helped arrange another site for the singer -- the Lincoln Memorial. Eleanor Roosevelt set an example as a woman who was not dominated by her husband, who had strong convictions about social justice, who was not afraid to express her mind

Another First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower, was mostly known for her aplomb as a hostess and her taste in pretty dresses. One could hardly call Mamie a rebel, yet when she and her husband revived the tradition of the White House Easter egg roll, she invited black children to participate in the formerly segregated event. In that one deed, this conventional woman, who did not even try to hide her distaste for the young Kennedys following her and Ike’s tenure, still set a model and wielded important influence for the public good.

Michelle Obama promotes community and families. Ladybird Johnson saved native wildflowers. Laura Bush fostered support for education and libraries. Rosalynn Carter aided senior citizens in need. A great deal of what is best in our society has been brought to our attention, and often secured, by the interest of the First Lady, usually quite quietly and without fanfare. And not once has a First Lady’s project been called a war on anything. 

There will be a woman President someday. But what about her husband? Will he be asked if he can make a pie? Will his wearing knickers constitute a major fashion faux pas? Will we be expecting of the First Gent anything different from what we now expect of the First Lady?

This will be interesting to watch, don’t you think?