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CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:01 AM Nov 13

So I have been pondering our First Ladies recently....

and was wondering about what DUers think about the First Ladies they most admired and (maybe) loved. Since there is no politics in the Lounge, I will ask here. I would have hoped to include a First Gentleman in the mix and just ask your favorite First Spouse, but it was not to be.

I confess I have always loved Michelle Obama so that is my choice.

What do you think?

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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So I have been pondering our First Ladies recently.... (Original Post) CTyankee Nov 13 OP
I have to say I can't pick just one. Jilly_in_VA Nov 13 #1
I am also very old, so I have lived through the times of all these First Ladies you list. CTyankee Nov 13 #4
Eleanor Roosevelt is the gold standard. Sneederbunk Nov 13 #2
Yes, she was exactly that, for her time and place. She went on to serve in the creation of the UN, iirc. CTyankee Nov 13 #6
Absolutely! SheltieLover Nov 13 #13
In my lifetime BeerBarrelPolka Nov 13 #3
No one matches Eleanor Roosevelt, though we have had some good ones since... hlthe2b Nov 13 #5
It Is Too Bad We Haven't Had a First Husband Yet. MineralMan Nov 13 #7
Do you think we ever will? For awhile, I was convinced that we can never have a woman POTUS. CTyankee Nov 13 #8
I just don't know. I know I voted for Hillary and Kamala Harris, in hopes of that. MineralMan Nov 13 #9
I like to think it was just that the timing was off for Kamala. I hate to blame Biden but I think "IF ONLY...." CTyankee Nov 13 #10
Jackie Kennedy was my first thought. Polly Hennessey Nov 13 #11
Not to mention her posing in the nude, as if Jackie O. would have done that! CTyankee Nov 13 #12
Mine, too. hamsterjill Nov 13 #16
I would have to put Eleanor Roosevelt at the top of my list. LoisB Nov 13 #14
Jill Biden and Hillary Clinton are my favs, Totally Tunsie Nov 13 #15
Hmm, I wonder why you put them in that order...I know I am just stuck on the Obamas so I am not as clear thinking CTyankee Nov 14 #17

Jilly_in_VA

(13,559 posts)
1. I have to say I can't pick just one.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:11 AM
Nov 13

I've lived a long life and seen a lot of First Ladies, so I have several favorites.
Jackie Kennedy, because she brought a new sense of style to the White House while at the same time restoring it to its former grandeur.
Lady Bird Johnson, because she knew exactly how to manage LBJ, and for her efforts in beautifying the country.
Rosalynn Carter, for her graciousness and because she was so down to earth and such an equal partner with Jimmy.
And of course, Michelle Obama.

Now if you ask me for my UNfavorite ones, there are but two:
Melania and Nancy Reagan

CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
4. I am also very old, so I have lived through the times of all these First Ladies you list.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:20 AM
Nov 13

I think you and I share these views of all of them. Jackie put up with her husband's many adulteries and I ponder that (but understand she was a product of her time). I do feel affection for Rosalynn Carter and for Lady Bird.

Totally agree about Melania and Nancy R. I think it's telling that Melania can't stand Donald. AND, I am no prude, but I don't much like our First Lady posing in the nude (nothing against nudity itself but keep it in art and out of the politics of our First Lady).

CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
6. Yes, she was exactly that, for her time and place. She went on to serve in the creation of the UN, iirc.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:23 AM
Nov 13

hlthe2b

(112,222 posts)
5. No one matches Eleanor Roosevelt, though we have had some good ones since...
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:23 AM
Nov 13

HRC, Michelle Obama, Rosalyn Carter.. If I have to add an R to the list, I'd have to think, but most were very traditional first ladies (except for Nancy Reagan, who it appeared, functioned much like Woodrow Wilson's after his stroke. I don't even consider Melania on the list since she's only First Lady in name only.

CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
8. Do you think we ever will? For awhile, I was convinced that we can never have a woman POTUS.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:48 AM
Nov 13

I have 4 granddaughters, one of them who is transitioning and now identifies as female. My husband and I think it is doubtful that we will see a woman POTUS in our lifetimes. That is depressing.

MineralMan

(150,350 posts)
9. I just don't know. I know I voted for Hillary and Kamala Harris, in hopes of that.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:51 AM
Nov 13

I still hope for it. I think it's something our country needs to do, and very soon. It's hard to explain why I think that, but I do.

CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
10. I like to think it was just that the timing was off for Kamala. I hate to blame Biden but I think "IF ONLY...."
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:58 AM
Nov 13

I was in a state of shock during that moment in the debate where he seemed lost. We were stunned. We had never seen him that way and suddenly he just started saying strange things (even Trump seemed surprised, that snake). Kamala is to be praised for doing all she could to save the ticket from defeat. I really thought she would win. I took that loss worse than any I have ever experienced in my life...I cast my first vote for JFK.

Polly Hennessey

(8,370 posts)
11. Jackie Kennedy was my first thought.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 12:12 PM
Nov 13

For me, all of our First Ladies have respected their position and responsibilities as gracious keepers of our glorious House, except one. You got it right- Melania Trump. What an embarrassment she is. She emerges as a nasty, petty, hateful horror. 😝🤮

CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
12. Not to mention her posing in the nude, as if Jackie O. would have done that!
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 12:17 PM
Nov 13

I'm glad she doesn't live in the WH with the shithead.

hamsterjill

(16,856 posts)
16. Mine, too.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 08:50 PM
Nov 13

I remember "Camelot" and will always have a soft spot for that time frame. Jackie had such grace and she handled herself so well, even when tragedy struck.

CTyankee

(67,626 posts)
17. Hmm, I wonder why you put them in that order...I know I am just stuck on the Obamas so I am not as clear thinking
Fri Nov 14, 2025, 11:42 AM
Nov 14

as you are. I miss the Obamas so much! And I know that clouds my thinking.

That said, I do love and respect Jill Biden and I try not to be bitter about Hillary's loss (that took an emotional bite out of me, as I recall).

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