The following blogs about the First Ladies of the United States of America were excerpted from the White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies and modified for entry length. I leave the conclusions to you as to who made the most important contributions.
Term 1977-81
Rosalynn Carter attended Cabinet meetings and major briefings, frequently represented the Chief Executive at ceremonial occasions, and served as the President's personal emissary to Latin American countries. As First Lady, she focused national attention on the performing arts. She invited to the White House leading classical artists from around the world, as well as traditional American artists. She also took a strong interest in programs to aid mental health, the community, and the elderly. From 1977 to 1978, she served as the Honorary Chairperson of the President's Commission on Mental Health.
Term 1981-89
Nancy Reagan shared her lifelong interest in the arts with the nation by using the Executive Mansion as a showcase for talented young performers in the PBS television series "In Performance at the White House." In her first year in the mansion she directed a major renovation of the second- and third-floor quarters.
Term 1989-93
Barbara Bush selected the promotion of literacy as her special cause. As First Lady, she called working for a more literate America the "most important issue we have." Involved with many organizations devoted to this cause, she became Honorary Chairman of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. A strong advocate of volunteerism, Mrs. Bush helped many causes--including the homeless, AIDS, the elderly, and school volunteer programs.
Term 1993-2001
Hillary Clinton public involvement with many activities sometimes led to controversy. However and undeterred by critics, she won many admirers for her staunch support for women around the world and her commitment to children's issues. She continued her career in politics as United States Senator from New York in November 7, 2000 and as U.S. Secretary of State in 2009.
Term 2001-09
Laura Bush as the leader of President Bush's Helping America's Youth initiative, oversaw 10 Federal agencies in a groundbreaking partnership implemented the vision of the President Bush's Management Agenda. Through a national conference in Washington and six regional conferences, Helping America's Youth she taught more than 1,000 community members new strategies to address the needs of at-risk youth. After the attacks of September 11, she became an outspoken supporter of the women of Afghanistan. In November 2001, she gave the President's weekly radio address, speaking out against the Taliban's oppression of women and children. In addition, she has been a leading advocate for the cause of human rights in Burma. She visibly supported her husband in life-saving global health initiatives, including the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Moreover, Mrs. Bush has helped thousands of women take charge of their health by raising awareness of breast cancer and heart disease.
Term 2009-present
Michelle Obama recently launched the Let’s Move! A campaign to bring together community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide effort to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity. Let’s Move! has an ambitious but important goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. In addition, she looks forward to continuing her work on the issues of supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, encouraging national service, promoting the arts and arts education, and fostering healthy eating and healthy living for children and families across the country.
What Ann Romney Could Contribute (this blog is what I constructed)
Ann Romney has strong interests in helping underprivileged children, athletics and health. She has been involved with the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services detention center, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the Faith in Action Committee for the United Way (working with local religious establishments to assist at-risk children), and helped to found the United Way Faith and Action. During the 2002 Winter Olympics effort, she co-chaired the Olympic Aid charity, which provides athletic activities and programs for children in war-torn regions.
