The presidency of Barack Obama ended and the Trump administration has started. According to CNN’s research survey of public opinion from thousands of adults on the 16th of January, Obama’s approval rating was about 60%. It proves that he was an outstanding president who received affection and respect from America’s citizens. Also, his wife, Michelle Obama was highly appreciated by the public and media because of her touching and persuasive public speeches and great support for the Obama administration. Don’t you wonder when was the first time that the First Lady had an important role in the political area? We will figure it out focusing on “America’s First Ladies” who have changed presidencies.

 

What does the First Lady mean?

           We might have heard about the expression “First Lady” once. It is also well used as a movie or drama’s material. Recently, in January of this year, the movie named “Jackie” has released. It is about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, which told about the most famous first lady in the U.S. The term “First Lady: was first used in the inauguration ceremony of America’s 19th President, Rutherford B. Hayes. A journalist indicated his wife, Lucy Hayes as the First Lady. So, it means wife of the president or governor and more widely it indicates wife of leaders like Prime Ministers. They have the most time with the president and they each played a large part in the history of each president.

Changing in the Role of the First Lady: Political Role

           Throughout the east and the west, women were regarded as an image that never show outgoing personality and they just supported their husbands inside the homes when they got married. However, as the number of working women is increasing these days, the image of traditional ones are disappearing and women’s roles are turning to more active and politically influential ways. They are showing more various affects to presidencies in direct and indirect aspects like making policy or acting within campaigns of their own areas of interest. Especially, as in the case of former presidents, how they behave or respond influences the support rate of the president to increase or decrease.. Also, they are performing positive or negative roles according to public opinion.

Say Goodbye Michelle Obama and Hello Melania Trump

           As America’s presidency changed, the First Lady also changed. “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’,” ”Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton,” and ”Michelle Obama” are the renowned people when we first think about the term First Lady. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is known as a smart woman as she had responsibility for state affairs by helping her husband “Bill Clinton.” During his presidency. Also, she was Secretary of State and elected as the first female presidential candidate. Not only that, the wife of Obama, “Michelle” has  held campaigns through her identity as an African American. She wanted to improve the inferior treatment and discrimination that visible minorities face. In addition, she gave a speech that inspires young people and women to have hope and to be brave to do what they want. She also did rap in the video named  “Go to College” and it lead to improvements in educational parts. As “Donald Trump,” real estate billionaire became the US President, his wife “Melania Trump” became the First Lady. Melania was a model and designer. She is getting attention as the new First Lady. with another characteristic with ‘Michelle’. 

 

           The First Lady is an important component to the presidency. Especially, they are gaining meaning beyond supporting their husbands and playing generous mothers to children. Instead, they are developing their indigenous realms and parts. Also, most of them supplement the president with their outstanding knowledge and personalities. And First Ladies are persuading public opinion to get empathy about the policy that governments want to make. That’s why we are looking forward to Melania, new First Lady of the United States. 

 

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