Community Corner
Dr. Larry Rifkind Profiles the First Ladies
The Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution welcomed Dr. Larry Rifkind as its speaker for the March 2014 program at Ashton Living in Lawrenceville, GA. Dr. Rifkind, HODAR of Treasurer Connie Rifkind, presented The Roles and Rules of the Game, his unique profiles of the First Ladies of the United States. He explained that the position of First Lady has no job description but can be defined by six categories: Conscript, Shield, Courtesan, Consigliere, Regent, and Co-President.
Conscript: In this role, the First Lady is drafted into the White House as the President’s spouse only, carries out her domestic functions, and maintains low visibility with the public. Political life does not come naturally for her, and she relies on a substitute hostess at official functions. Margaret Taylor, First Lady to President Zachary Taylor, had her adult daughter stand in for her. Margaret was so reclusive that upon her death, people realized they did not know what she looked like, with there being no authentic painting or photograph in existence. In modern times Mamie Eisenhower, First Lady to Ike Eisenhower, stayed in the background and was criticized for her “in-activism”.
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Shield: As a Shield, the First Lady likewise plays the traditional role as spouse/mother with no political function but is more involved as an active helpmate and caregiver to the President. The best example would be Nancy Reagan, First Lady to President Ronald Reagan. Nancy controlled his pace of work to keep him from becoming overtaxed, whispered cues to him, and even consulted an astrologer to determine ideal dates for his key meetings. Also included is Edith Wilson, First Lady to President Woodrow Wilson. Following his stroke, Edith kept people away, and President Wilson did everything in her presence. During this administration, the White House was dubbed the “petticoat government”. Dolley Madison, First Lady to President James Madison, set the mould for the quintessential White House hostess.
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Courtesan: In this sense, the Courtesan is one who strives to be in the public eye and has personal ambitions for the White House social scene and its incumbent power. Mary Lincoln, First Lady to President Abraham Lincoln, was considered self-centered and manipulative. She feuded with the Cabinet. Similarly, Julia Grant, First Lady to President Ulysses Grant, is credited with instigating the most dismissals from the Cabinet. Both were known for their conspicuous spending.
Consigliere: A Consigliere is a confidante or trusted adviser who has a full political partnership with the President but is not interested in being a political figure herself. The classic example is President Jimmy Carter’s wife, Rosalyn Carter. She read whatever he read, with the exception of the most sensitive security matters, and rendered her opinions on the issues. She was a bystander at Cabinet meetings and had a weekly working lunch with him. Sara Polk, First Lady to President James Polk, wrote speeches and attended Congressional debates. She also was instrumental in getting “Hail to the Chief” to become the Presidential anthem. Abigail Adams, First Lady to President John Adams, exerted background influence in seeing the notorious Alien & Sedition Acts passed, in which people who criticized her husband could possibly be tried for treason.
Regent: A Regent, a First Lady who is both visible and political, temporarily fills in for the President when he is ill. Most notable is President Franklin Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, who earned the moniker of “the Shadow President”. When he was most stricken with polio, she took an active role in the daily schedule and became his eyes and ears in the field. She exerted her own influence to get women into key political positions and to set social agendas. She even held press conferences.
Co-President: In this role, the First Lady places herself at an equal level to the elected President. First Lady Hilary Clinton, wife of President Bill Clinton, is the best example. She has the distinction of taking a prominent role to develop health care legislation. Dr. Rifkind described her as having brokered with feminists in taking a tough, “not a stand by your man” stance against Clinton’s extramarital affairs.
Dr. Rifkind is an Associate Dean and Professor Emeritus of Georgia State University. He has a Ph.D. in Speech Communication. Interestingly, he developed a class analyzing the roles of the First Ladies.