Pat Nixon and Edith Wilson: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Two Iconic First Ladies
A new American FLOTUS podcast drops today featuring historians and biographers Heath Hardage Lee and Rebecca Boggs Roberts.
Former First Ladies Pat Nixon and Edith Wilson had more in common than what set them apart. Alan Lowe, the host on the newly launched American FLOTUS podcast sits down for an in depth interview with authors Heath Hardage Lee, biographer of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady and Rebecca Boggs Roberts, biographer of Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson in a new episode that drops Monday.
The episode, “Edith Wilson and Pat Nixon with Rebecca Boggs Roberts and Heath Hardage Lee” draws on what the former first ladies have in common and includes discussions about the both of the women’s desires to be independent; their loving marriages to their husbands, former Presidents Richard Nixon and Woodrow Wilson, that include documented “steamy” love letters; their roles as first lady and political advisor; the pressure both women dealt with being first ladies during wartime (World War I and Vietnam); and how both former first ladies approached crises of their husbands’ presidencies with Edith Wilson handling the aftermath of her husband’s stroke and Pat Nixon navigating the Watergate scandal that prompted her husband’s resignation from the office.
The podcast also explores the differences between the two first ladies with discussions about how women’s roles in society evolved while Pat Nixon and Edith Wilson served as first lady. They also examine how Edith Wilson exercised her ability to control access to her husband after his stroke while Pat Nixon, at a point, was cut off from her husband.
American FLOTUS was launched late last year to offer information and analysis about the first ladies of the United States. The podcast was created in this partnership between the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and American POTUS. A transcript of the podcast is available on the FLARE website. Listen here
Melania Trump Will Be the Focus of a New Documentary
Incoming First Lady Melania Trump will be the focus a new documentary film, FOX News was first to report Sunday. Amazon Prime has exclusively licensed the film for global theatrical and streaming release that will give viewers an "unprecedented behind-the-scenes look" at Trump’s life, according to the outlet.
Filming apparently began in December 2024 and is expected to be released in the second half of 2025, FOX News reported. The documentary will be executive produced by Mrs. Trump and Fernando Sulichin of New Element Media, with Brett Ratner of RatPac Entertainment serving as director.
Reports of the new documentary come on the heels of Mrs. Trump publishing her first memoir, Melania in December.
Calendar
Jan. 7, 2025
State Funeral Motorcade for Jimmy Carter to Head to Washington, D.C.
The motorcade for the state funeral honoring the late former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29, will depart from the Carter Presidential Center one last time with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. EST. The late president and his family then travel to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, at 10 a.m. EST where they will board Special Air Mission 39 to travel to Washington, D.C. Carter and his family will then travel by motorcade at 1:15 p.m. EST to the U.S. Navy Memorial where his remains are transferred from the hearse to a horse drawn caisson for a funeral procession up to the U.S. Capitol at 2 p.m. EST. Upon arrival at the U.S. Capitol, the late president will be carried by military body bearers into the Rotunda where members of Congress will pay their respects during a service at 3 p.m. EST.
Carter will lie in state while the military maintains a guard of honor. The public is invited to pay their respects as he lies in state from 7 p.m. to midnight EST. He will continue to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7 a.m. EST on Wednesday until 7 a.m. on Thursday when the motorcade will depart to the Washington National Cathedral for the National Funeral Service at 10 a.m. EST.
Jan. 10, 2025
Legacy Lecture: Beatrice Patton and Her Bonds with First Ladies
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents “Legacy Lecture: Beatrice Patton and her Bonds with First Ladies,” a virtual program led by independent scholar Stefanie Van Steelandt, that uncovers the remarkable friendship between Beatrice Patton and both Eleanor Roosevelt and Mamie Eisenhower as they adapted to the demands of WWII. Through rich historical storytelling, learn how these women forged connections with each other and with prominent figures of their time, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire. Read more
Jan. 14, 2025
White House History Live: Inauguration Nation
The White House Historical Association presents “White House History Live: Inauguration Nation.” This event will be live streamed on the White House Historical Association's Facebook and YouTube pages starting at 5:30 pm ET on January 14, 2025. The program will feature White House Historical Association historian Lina Mann who will discuss the history of Inauguration Day with Dr. Matthew Costello, Chief Education Officer and Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center. Costello will explore the evolution of Inaugurations through five key components that still exist today–the transition period, the swearing-in ceremony, the Inaugural Address, the procession and parade, and Inaugural balls. Read more
Jan. 22, 2025
Fabulous First Ladies Brunch - Naples, Florida
Join the National First Ladies Library & Museum for a special First Ladies Brunch in Naples, Florida. Anita McBride, former chief of staff to former First Lady Laura Bush, will discuss her new book: Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women. Mrs. Bush, herself, will send a personal video message to share with our guests.
McBride is Director of the First Ladies Initiative at American University, School of Public Affairs. She has served in three U.S. presidential administrations at the White House and Department of State. Books will be available for purchase online and at the event. McBride will sign copies that day. All proceeds benefit the National First Ladies Library & Museum at the First Ladies National Historic Site. Read more
Feb. 12, 2025
Virtual: Talk With a Curator
The National First Ladies Library & Museum in Canton, Ohio, presents the virtual program “Talk with a Curator” on February 12, 2025, where stories of America’s first ladies will be led by Michelle Gullion, senior director of Collections & Research at the National First Ladies Library & Museum. This behind-the-scenes experience will explore treasures from its renowned collection, from fashion to personal artifacts that reveal the legacies of these remarkable women. Gullion will share how items are preserved and protected, offering fascinating insights into the history and the craft of conservation. Read more
Submit calendar items, announcements and press releases to East Wing Magazine at jtaylor@eastwingmagazine.com.