Melania Trump Introduces Her Husband in Surprise Campaign Appearance
Plus, Jill Biden stays on campaign trail for Harris, Michelle Obama to headline rally Tuesday and scholars to discuss Republican first ladies on the campaign trail.
Former First Lady Melania Trump Sunday stepped on the Madison Square Garden stage Sunday in New York City in a rare campaign appearance to introduce her husband, former President Donald Trump.
The former first lady, who has been mostly off the campaign trail, was not scheduled to speak, but talked for about five minutes saluting the city for its “undisputed capital of industry where titans of finance, fashion, and entertainment convene.”
Mrs. Trump went on to describe New York City as the pulse of America then shifted to a bleak outlook of the country saying a “declining quality of life coupled with economic instability makes it difficult for business to thrive.”
She also claimed that crime is on the rise while public safety diminishes, a statement not supported by crime statistics compiled by the FBI and other sources that show an increase in violent crime, notably murders, in 2020 and a decline since. A revision to the FBI data this year doesn’t change that overall trend, despite claims made on social media and by the Trump campaign to the contrary, according to FactCheck.org.
“For generations this town has produced America’s most fearless leaders whose mark changed the course of the world,” she said before her husband took the stage.
Mrs. Trump was last seen with her husband at the Al Smith dinner in New York City and the Republican National Convention over the summer.
‘Every Vote Counts’ Says Jill Biden on Pennsylvania Campaign Stop
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden thanked volunteers in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, Saturday for campaigning for Democrats while reminding supporters that they make a difference.
During the stop, Biden visited Red Hawk Coffee Roasters and was joined by Pennsylvania State Representative Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny).
“As you know, the margins this year are so close, and from what Mandy told me, she was the one who turned the legislature blue, so we have to keep it blue,” Biden said. “We have to vote Democrat up and down the ticket. I know you think, oh, one vote doesn’t count, but remember, every vote counts.”
The first lady asked supporters to remember how they felt waking up after the 2016 election and to motivate them to keep volunteering and speaking to people in their circles whether it’s at school, their church, their book groups, or their neighborhoods.
“Remember the feeling you had that morning? It was like, oh if we had only knocked on more doors, if we had made more calls, if we had talked to more people,” she said. “That’s why it all counts, because I don’t want you to wake up and think to yourself, ‘oh, if we had only done a little bit more.’”
Calendar
Oct. 28, 2024
Imagining a First Gentleman
American University's School of Public Affairs presents Imagining a First Gentleman, an insightful discussion on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. ET in Kerwin Hall featuring co-authors of Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women, Anita McBride, Diana B. Carlin, and Nancy Kegan Smith. Read more
Oct. 29, 2024
Michelle Obama to Headline Atlanta Rally
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to speak at a rally hosted by When We All Vote, the national, nonpartisan voting initiative founded and co-chaired by Obama. The event will feature celebrity co-chairs and ambassadors, local and national talent and performances and Georgia student leaders.
The organization is urging first-time voters, including Atlanta-area college students and high school students from When We All Vote’s My School Votes program, to bring their energy and voices from the rally to the polls. The rally will mobilize first-time voters while celebrating the organizations and partners who work year-round to ensure that Georgia voters are registered and ready to vote. The rally will be livestreamed to reach even more voters ahead of Election Day and the final days of early voting.
Oct. 29, 2024
FLARE to Host First Ladies on the Campaign Trail—The Republican Women
The First Ladies Association for Research and Education will host First Ladies on the Campaign Trail–The Republican Women, the second part of a two-part program on the topic. The discussion will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. ET and will feature Paulette Brinka, a communications professor from Suffolk County Community College; Tammy Vigil, a communication professor from Boston University, and program moderator Valerie Palmer-Mehta, a communication professor from Oakland University.
Contemporary wives of GOP presidents have delivered impactful and important addresses at the Republican National Convention. Such speeches by Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, and Melania Trump helped shape these women’s public personas and legacies and, in some cases, altered perceptions of their husbands. Wives were also busy on the campaign trail and each approached it her way. Find out how Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Laura Bush, and Melania Trump approached the campaign trail.
View the program on Facebook page or YouTube.
Rosalynn Carter Institute Redefines Caregiving Field with Focus on Caregiver Experience
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) in October announced the launch of the Profiles of Experiences of Caregiving© (Caregiver Profiles©), an innovative framework that leads within the caregiver field by reimagining and elevating family caregivers, so they are better seen, understood, and supported.
Developed in partnership with Duke University through an extensive review of over 10,000 research papers and comprehensive caregiver focus groups, these profiles shift the focus from the care recipient’s diagnosis to the caregiver’s unique experience. This new approach aims to provide more tailored, holistic support to the over 105 million people in the United States who are actively engaged in family caregiving.
“Caregiving is a near-universal experience, yet the support available is often limited, fragmented, and determined solely by the diagnosis of the care recipient,” said Dr. Jennifer Olsen, Chief Executive Officer of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in a statement. “The Caregiver Profiles allow us to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach of caregiving. By doing so, we can center the caregiver’s needs and build a responsive system of support that considers their physical, mental, and financial well-being throughout their journey.”
The Caregiver Profiles are the result of decades of research and collaboration with caregivers from diverse backgrounds and partnership with Duke University. The framework is designed to capture and reflect the dynamic nature of caregiving, where each profile represents a distinct segment of caregiving. Whether adjusting to a new diagnosis or providing end-of-life care, caregivers face a wide range of challenges and opportunities that cannot be addressed with traditional, diagnosis-driven models.
The Caregiver Profiles provide a more nuanced lens through which to view the caregiving experience. It includes coping with or managing a crisis, adjusting to or understanding a new diagnosis, managing active treatment, working toward recovery and independence and more.
This framework also supports RCI’s mission to create systems-level change that prioritizes caregivers’ experiences and needs.
“Mrs. Carter believed deeply in the need to transform how we support family caregivers,” said Dr. Olsen. “This framework supports RCI’s mission to create systems-level change that prioritizes caregivers’ experiences and needs, building on Mrs. Carter’s legacy.”
Nov. 5, 2024
Elizabeth Keckley: From Enslavement to the White House
The Kent State University Museum in partnership with the National First Ladies Library & Museum presents a panel discussion on Nov. 5 from 5 to 6 p.m. ET at Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive Kent, Ohio, on the remarkable life of Elizabeth Keckley, who purchased her own freedom from slavery and became a successful entrepreneur and personal dressmaker to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. A cape made by Keckley for Mrs. Lincoln will be displayed at the event, as the program explores how fashion can illuminate historical narratives, from first ladies’ often-overlooked histories.
Featured speakers are Carmen Evelyn G. Nuyda, author of Lizzy: The Elizabeth Keckley Story; Sara Hume, PhD, Curator/Professor, Kent State University Museum; and Michelle Gullion, Senior Director of Curatorial Services, National First Ladies Library & Museum. Read more
Nov. 8, 2024
Legacy Lecture: Unveiling Edith Wilson's Political Power
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents the virtual Legacy Lecture on Friday, Nov. 8, from noon to 1 p.m.EST with Edith Michel, Senior Manager of Education and Collections at the President Woodrow Wilson House, about the captivating life and legacy of former First Lady Edith Wilson. Discover how she became more than just a first lady—becoming a political powerhouse, symbol of resilience, and the so-called “First Lady President.” Read more
Nov. 21, 2024
Special Third Thursday Night Out: Pat Nixon Biographer Heath Hardage Lee
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents Heath Hardage Lee, the acclaimed author of the newly released book, The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington's Most Private First Lady presents Heath Lee members of Nixon's East Wing staff for a one-night-only at the museum. These remarkable women, who worked closely with Mrs. Nixon, will participate in a Q&A following the program. Read more
Nov. 24, 2024
First Ladies Fine Dining: Inauguration
Cookology at Ballston Quarter in Arlington, Virginia, presents a hands-on cooking class wand lecture by Andrew Och, aka “The First Ladies Man” on Nov. 24, 2024. Dolley Madison, Edith Wilson and Rosalynn Carter all come from different eras, decades and even centuries. However, that’s no reason not to cobble together the perfect meal from some of their favorite dishes and recipes. Comparing and contrasting the first ladies through food and the events they hosted is a remarkable way to learn about the life and times of these incredibly influential women before, during and after their time in the White House as first ladies. Read more
Nov. 25, 2024
First Ladies on the Page Book Club—’Spoken from the Heart’ by Laura Bush
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents a virtual First Ladies on the Page Book Club discussion on former First Lady Laura Bush’s memoir Spoken from the Heart. This month’s discussion offers a rich exploration of Laura Bush's life and historical connections. Read more
Dec. 6, 2024
2024 Holiday Book Festival
The White House Historical Association continues its tradition of producing award-winning books on many subjects related to the history of the White House—from its architecture, gardens, fine and decorative arts to the presidents and first ladies who lived there over the years. The authors of several award-winning books will be featured at its annual Holiday Book Festival on Dec. 6, 2024.
Artist and illustrator Dr. John Hutton will provide drawing lessons, demonstrate how to draw the presidents, and sign the series of children's books he illustrated.
Other authors include:
Diana Carlin, Anita McBride, and Nancy Kegan Smith will be signing their groundbreaking book Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women.
Art Chadwick, American orchid grower and entrepreneur, will be signing First Ladies and Their Orchids: A Century of Namesake Cattleyas, which explores the history of first ladies of the United States and the cattleya hybrids that are named after them.
Christi Harlan, writer and communications consultant in Washington, D.C., will be signing her book about Jimmy Carter: Mr. President, The Class Is Yours: Jimmy Carter's Sunday School Lessons in Washington, D.C.
Jonathan Stolz will be signing his book, Presidential Vignettes: Stories About Those Who Have Held the Hightest Office in the Land.
Melinda Dart compiled and edited this memoir of her grandfather, A Glimpse of Greatness: The Memoir of Irineo Esperancilla, which captures the amazing experience of a Filipino American who quietly served his family, his country and four presidents of the United States. Read more