The President's Partner: the First Lady as Public Communicator, 1920-1976. (Volumes I and II) (United States).

Americans have definite impressions of First Ladies. Perhaps they recall the elegance of Jacqueline Kennedy or the silent yet dignified demeanor of Bess Truman. Possibly they admire Betty Ford who shared her triumphs and sorrows with the whole country or Eleanor Roosevelt who demonstrated that the federal government could be responsive and compassionate. Perceptions of First Ladies are developed by observing a woman's communication activities; all the activities which define her public image. The author investigated each First Lady's biographical background, major communication activities in advocacy, political and ceremonial contexts, preparation for and approaches to communication and press relations. Other factors considered were the First Lady's relationship with her husb and , her access to presidential decision making and the President and First Lady's perceptions of women. The study concluded that (1) Since 1920, First Ladies have assumed one of three distinct communication stances: social hostesses and ceremonial presences (Florence Harding, Grace Coolidge, Bess Truman, Mamie Eisenhower), incipient spokeswomen (Lou Hoover, Jacqueline Kennedy, Pat Nixon) or political surrogates and independent advocates (Eleanor Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford). (2) Age, state of health, family obligations, the president's attitude toward the degree of his wife's participation in his administration and the social and historical context of the time are all determinants of how active a woman will be as a public communicator in the White House. (3) Americans seem to prefer an involved First Lady, one with a history of commitment to a cause. First Ladies are most acceptable if they advocate accepted feminine concerns or issues, but risk criticism or condemnation if they become involved with the more substantive issues of their husb and 's administrations. Based on evidence and the aforementioned conclusions, the author suggests a method for predicating a First Lady's performance as public communicator in the White House.PhDCommunicationUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/159559/1/8324192.pd