From Martha Washington to Melania Trump, each first lady has changed, and is changing, the role for the first ladies that follow them. We chatted with Anita McBride, executive-in-residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University and Mrs. Bush’s former chief of staff, about navigating the role without a rulebook. Join us as we celebrate their leadership, their journeys, and the evolution of the role of first ladies.

On March 5th the George W. Bush Institute is launching its first podcast, Ladies, First, hosted by Natalie Gonnella-Platts, Deputy Director of the Bush Institute's Women's Initiative. There is so much more to the elite sorority of first ladies than fashion and state dinners, and this podcast and its lineup of guest experts will explore this reality. Ladies, First will take an informative, and entertaining look at our first ladies’ legacies and how their leadership has shaped our nation and the international community.