A Correspondent’s Chronicling Was Eleanor Roosevelt’s Window Into World War II
White House History Quarterly takes readers to an intimate tea gathering between Eleanor Roosevelt and famous wartime reporter Ernie Pyle.
A 1943 gathering over tea at the White House between Eleanor Roosevelt and American wartime correspondent Ernie Pyle was designed by the first lady to meet the man famously dubbed a “G.I.’s Best Friend.” The first lady, an admitted fan, followed Pyle’s work that intimately profiled “ordinary” soldiers fighting in Europe.
She was so taken with his work she encouraged the reporter at the tea to take his talents to the South Pacific to capture more stories. In fact, this was the main motivation for Mrs. Roosevelt’s meeting with Pyle, writes Mary Jo Binker in the article “The First Lady and the G.I.’s Best Friend: Ernie Pyle Joins Eleanor Roosevelt for Tea at the White House” in the latest edition of White House History Quarterly that led up to the 80th anniversary of V-E Day on May 8, 2025.
In the article, Binker details the encounter that reveals the nerves Pyle experienced moments before meeting the first lady. Sitting across from her in the private quarters of the White House alongside her aide, Malvina Thompson, Pyle describes the first lady dominating the conversation while also being an intent listener, Binker writes.
Yet, Mrs. Roosevelt’s urging for him to cover the South Pacific was compelling. And, while he initially returned to Europe, Pyle, in late 1944, finally arrived in the South Pacific, where in a matter of months, he died.
Pyle and a commanding officer came under Japanese fire on the small island of Iejima, just north of Okinawa. His death profoundly affected many, including Mrs. Roosevelt, who relied on his columns for a better understanding of what was happening in the war on several fronts.
This story and others in the current issue of the Quarterly focuses on the White House during World War II. Other stories examine White House visits of diplomats, a holocaust survivor and end with a trip to Pearl Harbor.
Laura Bush Releases Children Summer Reading List
Former First Lady Laura Bush last week announced her summer reading list for children, which includes the following 16 books:
The Little Island, by Margaret Wise Brown
Inky the Octopus, by Erin Guedelberger
I Loved You First, by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
The Moffats, by Eleanor Estes
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George
Pete the Cat: Play Ball! by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
First Ladies Make History, by Anita McBride and Giovanna McBride
The Camping Trip That Changed America, by Barb Rosenstock
The 4th of July Story, by Alice Dalgleish
I Survived the American Revolution, 1776, by Lauren Tarshis
The Rabbit Listened, by Cori Doerrfeld
Poppleton in the Summer, by Cynthia Rylant
The Bookshop Mice, by Robert Sterling
In a Jar, by Deborah Marcero
Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
Clubhouse Mysteries: The Buried Bones Mystery, by Sharon M. Draper
Calendar
May 14, 2025
Talk with a Curator
The National First Ladies Library & Museum’s Michelle Gullion, Senior Director of Curatorial Services, is hosting a virtual behind-the-scenes adventure into first ladies history. Join Gullion at 7 p.m. on May 14 for a lively and exclusive look behind the scenes of the National First Ladies Library & Museum. She will cover fascinating artifacts from the first ladies collection, the stories behind the historical treasures and how the team preserves and shares these unique pieces of history. Tickets are $9. Read more
May 15, 2025
Third Thursday Wine & Cheese: Nancy Reagan's Designer Secrets Unveiled!
The National First Ladies Library & Museum in Canton, Ohio is hosting an evening dedicated to First Lady Nancy Reagan’s style and sophistication. On May 15 at 6:30 p.m. EST, they’ll showcase six of Reagan's rarely displayed and absolutely breathtaking designer handbags from Yves Saint Laurent to Valentino. The iconic accessories tell the story of how one first lady made elegance her signature and a powerful political statement. Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. Read more
May 15, 2024
Celebrating VA’s First Ladies
Join First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin and Former First Ladies of Virginia Susan Allen, Anne Holton, and Pamela Northam as they discuss the role of FLOVA and its lasting impact on the Commonwealth. While each of these ladies has served Virginia with unique focus and flair, they have also shared in a longstanding commitment to historic preservation, educational excellence, vibrancy in the arts, and countless other initiatives that improve the lives of Virginians. Their role of diplomacy, hospitality, and advocacy continues long after they move out of the Executive Mansion. To help us get a behind-the-scenes peek, Heath Lee, author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon and The League of Wives, will moderate this panel discussion. Read more
May 16, 2025
First Ladies: Their Enduring Impact on American Life
Throughout history, first ladies have had an enduring impact on both select policy and political matters, as well as on White House ceremonial traditions and broader American culture.
Join the University of Virginia’s Miller Center on May 16 at 2 to 3 p.m. ET for a conversation about the purpose and influence of the first spouse from Martha Washington to Melania Trump. This event will be led by the Miller Center’s Professor Barbara Perry, co-chair of the Center’s Presidential Oral History Project and author of Jacqueline Kennedy: First Lady of the New Frontier; Teri Finneman, professor of journalism and communications at the University of Kansas, founder and executive producer of the The First Ladies podcast and co-editor of The Cambridge Companion to U.S. First Ladies; Heath Hardage Lee, author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon; and Michael LaRosa, former press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden. Books will be available for sale and signing. Read more
May 19, 2025
The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents a thought-provoking discussion of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon with author Heath Hardage Lee, which examines the life of one of America’s most private and enigmatic first ladies. Discover the real Pat Nixon, a woman of quiet strength, deep compassion, and progressive values who left a lasting impact on history. Read more
May 21, 2025
Tudor Place Celebrates Champion of Preservation at Annual Spring Garden Party
The Tudor Place Board of Trustees and Co-Chairs Charlotte Grassi Ramirez and Gwendolyn Lohse Assey announced its Spring Garden Party will be held on May 21. Each year, the Spring Garden Party recognizes an instrumental figure, who has been stalwart in the support of Tudor Place and the community who inspires others to engage with and support historic preservation.
This year’s event will honor Mrs. Beverly Jost, a passionate advocate for conserving Georgetown’s history, according to a news release. Mrs. Jost served with distinction on the Board of Trustees of Tudor Place for nine years, including three as president. Beverly has shared a profound respect for the past, working tirelessly for over 35 years promoting historic preservation and the beauty of Georgetown.
The Spring Garden Party celebrates Tudor Place’s ongoing commitment to historic preservation, conservation and dynamic educational programming. As the institution’s most important fundraiser of the year, proceeds account for more than 20% of annual operating revenue, the news release said.
For tickets and information, please visit the website.
June 13, 2025
Legacy Lecture: Tea Time Tales of Widowed First Ladies
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents Los Angeles-based comedian Lauren Howard Hayes, a first lady enthusiast, in the one-woman show: Tea Time Tales of Widowed First Ladies. The event will be presented virtually from noon to 1 p.m. ET.
In this performative yet informative multimedia event, Hayes brings to life the stories, secrets, and personalities of former First Ladies Mary Lincoln, Ida McKinley, Lucretia Garfield, and Jackie Kennedy in a hilarious and insightful blend of character comedy and historical storytelling. Read more
June 19, 2025
Third Thursday Wine & Cheese: Mary Lincoln’s Fashion Legacy
To honor Juneteenth, for one night only, the National First Ladies Library & Museum will unveil a breathtaking Civil War-era capelet designed by former First Lady Mary Lincoln’s dressmaker and confidante, Elizabeth Keckley—a talented Black designer who left a lasting mark on fashion and history. This exclusive, in-person showcase at 6:30 p.m EST will transport visitors to an era where style and politics intertwined, offering a rare glimpse into the first lady’s wardrobe and her remarkable relationship with Keckley. Read more
Submit calendar items, announcements and press releases to East Wing Magazine at jtaylor@eastwingmagazine.com.