The Power of the First Lady

A conference at The University of Texas on Nov. 15 will examine the evolution of the role of first ladies into "a more public and agenda-driven role." Hosted by the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, “The Enduring Legacies of America’s First Ladies” will examine how first ladies have changed from Lady Bird Johnson to Michelle Obama.

One of the organizers notes that "[d]espite an intense nuts-and-bolts involvement in environmental policy, Lady Bird Johnson still tended to defer to men in power — at least publicly." Yet, she was a "formidable businesswoman" who built a broadcasting empire in Austin long before her husband became president and helped organize a bank. One wonders if the panelists will discuss how her business experience in the male-dominated world of broadcasting informed her work as first lady.

Money quote: “A first lady has no position description,” said conference chairwoman Anita McBride, who was chief of staff to Laura Bush. “Nor does she have any statutory authority or salary – but she has an automatic powerful platform. Her unofficial position gives her enormous flexibility to pick and choose the issues in which she wants to engage.”