2014 | The First Ladies: Intimate Sacrifice, Honored Post

Richard Norton Smith, notable presidential historian, will examine the private lives and the public roles of the First Ladies and how this position has changedsince Martha Washington.

The Presidential Lecture Series is sponsored in part by the William T. Kemper II Charitable Trust and Commerce Trust Company and Bob Loyd, Co-Trustees.

Prisoners of State
2/16/2014

For the first event, Smith examined and discussed the early First Ladies. Many of these distinguished women experienced personal tragedy and paid a heavy price for their husband’s ambition.

Mary and Her Sisters
2/17/2014

The Gilded Age of First Ladies was a fascinating group of women. Mary Todd Lincoln was a polarizing figure in the press, Lucy Hayes became the first First Lady to graduate college, and Frances Cleveland married into the White House. Smith took a look at their contributions to the nation.

The Wilsons & the Roosevelts
2/26/2014

Trailblazers & Traditionalists
2/27/2014

The First Ladies of the recent past: Jackie, Lady Bird, Betty, and Nancy really gave the First Lady title influence and prestige. These women were role models and style icons for the women of America and sought causes to champion in their own right.