East Wing Magazine

East Wing Magazine

Conference to Celebrate 250 Years of First Ladies

In May, panelists will discuss how America’s presidential spouses have left their mark on history.

Apr 08, 2026
∙ Paid

First Lady Michelle Obama (left) poses with former first ladies (second from left to right) Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Rosalynn Carter as they attend the dedication ceremony for the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas in 2013. (Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images)

Whether it was creating politically-friendly parlor room soirees or safeguarding human rights in the aftermath of the Second World War or aiming to destigmatize treatment for addiction or attempting to shield youth from drug use altogether, America’s first ladies, while in the White House and thereafter, have left their mark on history.

But it hasn’t been until recent decades that the women’s stories have been reexplored, reexamined and recast, revealing the impact presidential spouses have had on shaping the nation. Many stories of U.S. first ladies will be shared as part of this year’s 250th anniversary celebration of America’s founding at a unique, upcoming conference open to the p…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Jennifer Taylor.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Jennifer Taylor · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture