Leading Ladies of the White House Communication Strategies of Notable Twentieth-Century First Ladies

by Wertheimer, Molly Meijer; Anderson, Karrin Vasby; Barry, Lisa R.; Blair, Diane M.; Carlin, Diana B.; Gutgold, Nichola D.; Hobgood, Linda B.; Mattina, Anne F.; Mooney, Mary; Muir, Janette Kenner; Natalle, Elizabeth J.; Parry-Giles, Shawn J.

• ISBN13: 9780742536722
• ISBN10: 0742536726
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-17
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

Based on the volume Inventing a Voice, the more concise Leading Ladies of the White House follows the lives and communication of some of the most notable twentieth-century first ladies. Exploring their speaking, writing, media coverage and interactions, and visual rhetoric, the book includes Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Laura Bush. Featuring an introduction on the public persona of a president's spouse and a chapter on the first lady as a site of American womanhood, Leading Ladies of the White House captures these high-profile women's reflections on public expectations and perceived restrictions on their communication.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Editor's Introduction	ix
First Ladies' Fundamental Rhetorical Choices: When to Speak? What to Say? When to Remain Silent?
Molly Meijer Wertheimer
The First Lady
A Site of ``American Womanhood''	1	(15)
Karrin Vasby Anderson
Eleanor Roosevelt
A Rhetorical Reconstruction of First Ladydom	16	(25)
Lisa R. Barry
Jacqueline Kennedy
The Rhetorical Construction of Camelot	41	(30)
Elizabeth J. Natalle
Lady Bird Johnson
The Making of a Public First Lady with Private Influence	71	(24)
Diana B. Carlin
Pat Nixon
Wisdom to Know the Difference	95	(28)
Linda B. Hobgood
Betty Ford
A Certain Comfort from a Candid First Lady	123	(17)
Nichola D. Gutgold
Linda B. Hobgood
Rosalynn Carter
Crafting a Presidential Partnership Rhetorically	140	(24)
Diane M. Blair
Shawn J. Parry-Giles
Nancy Reagan
Leading Lady, Supporting Actress, or Bit Player	164	(23)
Janette Kenner Muir
Mary Mooney
Barbara Bush
Her Rhetorical Development and Appeal	187	(30)
Molly Meijer Wertheimer
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Using Her Vital Voice	217	(18)
Anne F. Mattina
Epilogue Laura Bush
Using the ``Magic of Words'' to Educate and Advocate	235	(36)
Molly Meijer Wertheimer
Index	271	(10)
About the Contributors	281