Thomas Balcerski discusses the contributions that first ladies have made during wartime from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. From Mary Lincoln's visits to Civil War veterans hospitals to Edith Wilson's involvement in World War I to Lady Bird Johnson navigating the Vietnam War, first ladies have been closely involved with the nation's wars. Show transcripts are available at https://www.quinnipiacpodcasts.com/the-first-ladies

Show music credit: "Winning Elevation" by Hot_Dope.

Sarah Fling discusses the connections that early first ladies had to slavery and how few first ladies have engaged with civil rights. Martha Washington set a precedent for using enslaved labor at the president's house, and Dolley Madison never could have achieved her hostess reputation without it. Other first ladies, like Lou Hoover, who made the smallest of civil rights gestures by inviting a Black guest to the White House, faced tremendous blowback. Show transcripts are available at https://www.quinnipiacpodcasts.com/the-first-ladies

Show music credit: "Winning Elevation" by Hot_Dope.

Tammy Vigil discusses the roles expected of first ladies and how they perform those roles can be an asset or a liability to the president. Dolley Madison's dinner party diplomacy, Eleanor Roosevelt's media savvy and Florence Harding's campaign advising all helped their husbands' political careers. Yet first ladies also have found themselves swept up in scandals and controversies during their time in the White House. Show transcripts are available at https://www.quinnipiacpodcasts.com/the-first-ladies

Show music credit: "Winning Elevation" by Hot_Dope.

Author Lisa Burns discusses why the public is so interested in first ladies and how their influence endures 235 years after Martha Washington began the role. Show transcripts are available at https://www.quinnipiacpodcasts.com/the-first-ladies

Show music credit: "Winning Elevation" by Hot_Dope.

Welcome to The First Ladies, a podcast that reflects on the fascinating legacies of the women forever tied to the White House.