For the past year, this class has probably consistently been one of my favorites. I just want to thank everyone who were in my classes for both sections. You all were wonderful and kind every time I asked for help on anything.

This class has granted me the most interaction with classmates, and I am grateful for that. I have made friendships in this class that will hopefully carry on throughout college and even after I graduate. Thank you Meg for being one of the best professors here at Penn State! You had all of our best interests at heart, and you only wanted us to produce the best work we could.

I hope everyone here has a great summer! Good luck with the rest of your careers here at Penn State and beyond. Please keep in touch, especially if you are a political science major! Goodbye RCL! I will miss you!

For this Civic Issues Blog, which will be my last one about the First Ladies, I want to talk about Edith Wilson. Edith Wilson, who was born Edith Bolling, married a businessman named Norman Galt. After twelve years of marriage, Norman Galt died unexpectedly. Following his death, she continued to help out with the family jewelry store, and she found a person who would helped operate the store to financial support. A few years after her husband’s death, Edith was introduced by her friends to then President of the United States Woodrow Wilson, who was mourning the death of his own spouse. After their meeting, Woodrow Wilson immediately took a liking to Edith, and soon later the liking turned to love. They were married in a quiet ceremony on December 18, 1915.

Many of her First Lady duties of being a hostess of social events were cast aside due to the fact the United States entered World War 1 in 1917. Because of the immense stress her husband was under, Edith immersed herself in the job of trying to keep her husband healthy. After returning from a conference where the Allied Powers negotiated peace, Woodrow Wilson’s health deteriorated dramatically. In September 1919, Wilson suffered a stroke that caused his to be partly paralyzed.

Edith Wilson stepped in in this time of need. She took over many routine duties and details of government. However, she did not take over and control the executive branch, nor did she start programs and make major decisions. Edith convinced the president’s doctors to not advise others to remove him from office, so him condition was hidden from the press and public along with the severity of the president’s condition. News about the president’s stroke started making buzz in February of 2020, but no one discovered his true condition until years later.

I find it amazing that amazing that Edith Wilson kept her husband together as well as his job as President of the United States. While she did not fully run the executive branch, I still believe it proves people’s doubts of whether a woman can fulfill the role of president to be wrong. Edith Wilson was a badass. From a legal standpoint, I doubt that what she did was allowed, but the 22nd Amendment says, “In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.” Woodrow Wilson was not dead, so his vice-president was never sworn in, so Edith Wilson did what she saw was fit. She assumed a majority of her husband’s roles, and I think that fact is really cool.

Edith Wilson was called the “Secret President,” but I wonder truly how far how true this nickname went. Did no one truly know that she was majorly assisting her husband, or were some people in on the secret? I honestly assume that a few people knew, but I think it was only a minimal amount of people.

Following Woodrow Wilson’s tenure as President of the United States, the couple moved into a home in Washington, D.C. About three years later, Woodrow Wilson passed away. From this point on, Edith Wilson gained literary rights all of her husband’s personal papers so no one could damage his reputation. She also controlled what the script of the biopic of “Wilson” said.

Edith Wilson was very protective of her husband, which I admire. She wanted to protect his name, even after his death. I want to believe this is because she loved him, but a part of me believes that in a way she did not want to be incriminated herself.

Overall, I do not know whether I can say if Edith Wilson was a great First Lady or not. She did not have a typical platform like other First Ladies do, but she took on a greater role than the others. If this happened in recent times, the First Lady would never be able to do what she did and that is majorly because of the press and media today. I would like to read more about Edith Wilson in the future. I cannot say now whether I like her or not, but I can admit that I admire her dedication and hard work.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/edith-bolling-galt-wilson/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/woodrow-wilson-stroke

https://www.biography.com/news/edith-wilson-first-president-biography-facts

https://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/edith-wilson

Before becoming First Lady, Michelle Obama, whose name was originally Michelle Robinson attended Princeton University for her undergraduate, and then eventually Harvard University to obtain her law degree. She returned back to her hometown of Chicago to join the Sidley Austin law firm, where she eventually met her husband who would later become President of the United States. Once she got married, Michelle turned her passion towards public service. Michelle Obama became the assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago’s City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, which was an AmeriCorps program that prepares young people for public service. She then started working for University of Chicago as associate dean of student services, where she created the first community service program at the university. I find it amazing that even before she was in the public light, Michelle Obama was still dedicated to helping others. It really shows that she cares for others, and was not just doing it to impress the public.

Once she became First Lady, Michelle Obama started the “Let’s Move” initiative to try and end childhood obesity. Through the initiative, lawmakers and more came together to try and bring healthy, nutritious, affordable meals into schools. The initiative and Mrs. Obama also encouraged people to plant gardens and children and families to be more active. Every year, schoolchildren also gathered at the White House to plant fruits and vegetables, which in turn were served at the White House and donated to food banks and soup kitchens. I believe that the “Let’s Move” initiative is a great idea. However, I feel as though many schools go about it the wrong way. They try and follow all of the rules and guidelines of the initiative for the foods that they serve, but in the end they only buy what is cheapest for the school. They started serving the same food, but they served it in smaller portions. The schools were not looking out for their students best interest; they were only looking out for their own. I believe that the initiative did a great job influencing children to get outside and exercise. I remember when I was younger, I would go to turn on Nickelodeon, and certain days out of the year they would turn off normal programming to encourage their viewers to go outside and get active because of the “Let’s Move” campaign. Because of this, I did just that!

While First Lady, she helped launch “Joining Forces” with then Second Lady Jill Biden. This is a nationwide program that calls upon Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families to support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities. I believe this is a great campaign that they started. Often times, veterans wellness, education, and employment opportunities gets brushed aside when they come back to the home front. Americans need to be more supportive and helpful to the service people and veterans to helping them adapt.

As First Lady, Michelle Obama combatted and spoke out against racism. She often spoke out against the racism that her family faced, especially the racism against her daughters. Despite this racism, Michelle often spoke out in support of people of color and their line of work and causes. She often gave speeches speaking highly of the Tuskegee Airmen and their service. I find Michelle Obama’s outspoken support for other people of color despite all of the racism her and her family received brave. She consistently fights for other people.

Overall, I find Michelle Obama to be an amazing First Lady. I find all of the work she did and does to be inspiring. To be honest, I admire her and her work, and she is probably in my top five First Ladies of the United States. I aspire to be like her: kind, intelligent, and hard-working. Her schooling and career path is similar to one that I might want to pursue. I possibly want the attend law school once I obtain my undergraduate degree, and Harvard Law School is my absolute dream school, if do choose to obtain my law degree. In conclusion, I believe that all of Michelle Obama’s initiatives and platforms are great work. Future First Ladies should aspire to be similar to her.

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/platforms-of-first-ladies/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/michelle-obama/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/obama-legacy/michelle-obama-biography.html

Eleanor Rosalynn Carter, who is better known as just Rosalynn, became First Lady of the United States when her husband was sworn in as president in 1977. During her time as First Lady, Rosalynn Carter maintained routine duties within the East Wing. In addition to this, she 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. While being a quiet person, Rosalynn’s intelligence and friendly actions towards others allowed to fulfill these roles with class, ease, and success.

While being First Lady, Rosalynn took on platforms as most modern First Ladies do. One of the things she focused national attention on was the performing arts. She frequently invited classical musicians from all over the world and traditional American artists to perform in the White House. I believe that Rosalynn Carter’s focus on the performing arts is an amazing thing. Many times, especially in schools, performing arts programs get ignored. This attention from First Lady Rosalynn Carter might have influenced some people to take the performing arts more seriously and to put more funding into them. It might have even influenced some young people in our country to pursue the performing arts as a hobby or even a career. Her actions allowed more people to feel comfortable with who they are and what they enjoy.

Rosalynn Carter also took a strong interest in people’s mental health. She fought to end the stigma that surrounds mental health, and she continues to do so today. As First Lady, she became active honorary chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health. During her time aboard on this commission, she aided the passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. This act provided grants to community mental health centers all over the country. I think that Rosalynn Carter’s work with mental health is honorable. She helped fight the stigma that talking about mental health and having issues with mental health are bad things. Her fight for funding for mental health centers all over the country is great. Her work with mental health probably has saved many lives, and it was worth it in my opinion. Without Rosalynn Carter, people might not be as open with their mental health problems as they are today. People might not utilize the mental health centers, and others might not even be around. Our own CAPs at Penn State might not have been created, or as advertised for students as it is today.

Rosalynn Carter continues her work to end the stigma surrounding mental health by chairing the Carter Center Mental Health Task Force, which is apart of the Carter Center. She continues to educate people about mental health. Also, she has discussions with lawmakers about potential legislation based on mental health.

After her time as First Lady, Rosalynn Carter wrote multiple books, including one autobiography about her life and time as First Lady. Her and her husband also founded the Carter Center, which is focused on fighting for human rights for people all over the world. She also is a huge supporter on Habitat for Humanity. The organization holds the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project annually. The Carters help by volunteering and building houses for the less fortunate. She also supports 3Keys, which is a non-profit that aids in providing housing for homeless people with mental illnesses. I find her and her husband’s volunteerism and service admirable. I love volunteering and helping people, so I can relate to Rosalynn Carter in the way that she enjoys helping others. Most of her life was and is dedicated to helping people all over the world, which is what I want my life and work to be like.

Overall, I find Rosalynn Carter to be a great First Lady of the United States. She dedicated her time in the White House to hard-work and service. She spent much of her time working and filling in different roles than she did relaxing. I find this admirable. Rosalynn used her platform wisely and did not waste it. She shined a light of the performing arts, which in many times gets pushed aside. Carter also focused on mental health and ending the stigma around it. I love the way she has lived her life, and I can only hope to live mine similar to hers.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/rosalynn-smith-carter/

https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/rosalynn_carter.html

https://www.cartercenter.org/health/mental_health/rosalynn-carter-mental-health-leadership.html

For my Civic Issues blog, I have decided that I am going to write about different First Ladies and the platforms they held while their husbands were President of the United States. This week, I chose a First Lady who I truly admire and respect. I read a biography about her life, and I found that she was an amazing person. She is probably one of my favorite First Ladies. I wrote about Betty Ford.

Before Betty Ford was First Lady, she was married to a man who did not become president. They divorced after a short amount of time, and soon after, she started a relationship with future President of the United States Gerald Ford. His dream was to enter politics, but he hid his true ambitions from his wife. She was a dancer and had no interest in politics, I am definitely glad he did keep his ambitions from her in a way because we eventually got First Lady Betty Ford.

After serving in the House of Representatives, Gerald Ford became vice-president, after Spiro Agnew resigned. Once President Nixon followed suit, Gerald Ford was sprung into the role of president and Betty as first lady.

Soon after entering the White House, Betty Ford discovered a lump in her breast, and then she underwent a radical mastectomy. Following her procedure, the first lady held a press conference that destigmatized breast cancer. This inspired women to get routine breast exams. As a result, breast cancer diagnoses increased by 15%. I find Betty Ford’s decision to go public with her breast cancer truly inspiring. Many women did not talk about this prior to the first lady’s press conference. Women tried to keep in secretive if they discovered they had breast cancer, or they even ignored the condition in the first place by not getting breast exams. Without Betty Ford’s bravery, I believe many more women would have died of breast cancer, and some would not have even known they had it until it was too late.

During her tenure as first lady, many lawmakers were trying to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, which demanded equality for all American citizens, no matter their gender. Betty Ford was an outspoken supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. She gathered support throughout the country. Despite the Equal Rights Amendment was never ratified, Betty Ford led a conversation about the equality and liberation of women. I believe that her outspoken support of the Equal Rights Amendment definitely a reason why her husband chose to support it; he voted to ratify it when he was a congressman for Michigan. Gerald Ford continued to support it when he became president. I think Betty Ford’s continued support for the amendment led to the closeness of it being passed. I believe it also led to people being more open to the equality of all people, even if they are different genders. Women thus started to become more respected in the work place, and they were beginning to take on different roles. Betty Ford furthered the conversation of equality based on gender, and I believe without her support of equality, we would not have the ability to have the conversations today about pronouns, people being nonbinary, people being transgender, and more.

Betty Ford’s outspokenness and advocation for equality also led her husband to appoint and hire more women to positions of power. He hired more women than any other administration that came before. President Ford appointed Carla Hills to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. With her persuasion during her husband’s tenure to hire more women, I believe this paved the way for more presidents in the future to trust and hire women into roles of authority. Without Secretary Carla Hills, we would have never gotten Secretary Rice or Secretary Clinton. I also believe we would have never considered a woman for president without Betty Ford’s persuasion to hire more women.

Following her time as first lady, Betty Ford started to rely on prescription medicine and alcohol. Her family held an intervention for her, and she agreed to attend rehabilitation. Betty’s determination and strength led her to successfully get sober. As a result, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center, which treated drug and alcohol addiction. Her decision to be open with her addiction and to open the Betty Ford Center has allowed many people to come clean and seek help for their addictions. I believe her decisions were brave. It is what has saved many people.

In my opinion, I believe Betty Ford is one of the best first ladies our country has ever had. She is truthful, daring, inspiring, and intelligent, which are all things I admire. I believe without Betty Ford’s openness about her problems throughout life, many women would have died and many would not still be here today. I also believe without her fight for equality, there would not be as many women working in our government and in positions of power. Without Betty Ford, there is a chance I would not want to work in the government. People that inspired me to get into politics were inspired by people that her husband appointed into cabinet positions. Without Betty Ford, I would not be the person I am today.

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/betty-ford-activist-first-lady

http://ap.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/seventies/essays/betty-ford-new-kind-first-lady