Discusses how paintings and photographs depicting these women, provide insight into their lives and their time at the executive mansion. The white house historical association hosted this event. This evening it is my pleasure to welcome dr. Gwendolyn Dubois Shaw to white House History live. She is the national Portrait Gallery senior Historian And Director of history, research and scholarly programs. Appointed in 2019, she is the first woman and the first african american, to hold that position. Before joining the national Portrait Gallery, she was an associate professor of the history of art, at the university of pennsylvania. Her work has focused on race, Gender Sexuality and class in the United States, latin america and the caribbean. In addition to the first ladys exhibit, that we will be talking about this evening, she has curated many exhibitions, including 200 years of african american art at the university of pennsylvania at philadelphia art. The clear Art Museum in new jersey
Roosevelt institute. The Hoover President ial library, and the lbj foundation. Before found joining the faculty at the university of New York she taught palermo and rome. Betty is the author of a number of books including first ladies, the everchanging rule, which we will be talking about tonight. Ladybird and lyndon the hidden story of a marriage that made president. The roosevelt women, and inside the white house. She currently resides in new York City, and sometimes, although not, now in venice italy. Welcome betty. Thank you very. Much happy to be here. I know our audience is looking forward to this conversation, so were going to have a read back and forth and they were going to go to questions from our audience. At the beginning of our, book you discussed the rule of the early first ladies and how they set important precedents. Can you elaborate on those early first ladies . Women such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and dolley madison. How they influence the role. Yes we kno
House historical association in partnership with American University. First ladies are not elected and they have no constitutional role to guide them. But over the years these incredible women have served our country in their own way carving out a place for themselves in our history books. Theyve supported their husbands agendas and launched their own campaigns. Theyve comforted americans during times of crisis and helped us to rise to better days. Theyve been trusted advisors diplomats and legends in their own rights. Im humbled by the accomplishments of those who have come before me and grateful for the lessons they teach. The stories of our first ladies arent always told but they are critical to our history as well. They reveal so much about the presidency about our Countrys Relationship to the world and about Womens Role in america. And thats what today is all about. Since first Lady Jaqueline Kennedy founded the white house historical association in 1961. This organization has wor
These incredible women have served our country in their own way carving out a place for themselves in our history books. Theyve supported their husbands agendas and launched their own campaigns. Theyve comforted americans during times of crisis and helped us to rise to better days. Theyve been trusted advisors diplomats and legends in their own rights. Im humbled by the accomplishments of those who have come before me and grateful for the lessons they teach. The stories of our first ladies arent always told but they are critical to our history as well. They reveal so much about the presidency about our Countrys Relationship to the world and about Womens Role in america. And thats what today is all about. Since first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy founded the white house historical association in 1961. This organization has worked hand in hand with first ladies to protect the Executive Mansion and share the rich history it holds. We are grateful for their dedication and for their resources lik
President of the white house historical association. Our program is ready to begin. Please welcome the first lady of the United States, dr. Jill biden. Welcome to the first Lady Symposium hosted by the white house historical association in partnership with American University. First ladies are not elected and they have no constitutional role to guide them but over the years these incredible women have served our country in their own way carving out a place for themselves in our history books. Theyve supported their husbands agendas and launched their own campaigns. Theyve comforted americans during times of crisis and helped us to rise to better days. Theyve been trusted advisors diplomats and legends in their own rights. Im humbled by the accomplishments of those who have come before me and grateful for the lessons they teach. The stories of our first ladies arent always told but they are critical to our history as well. They reveal so much about the presidency about our Countrys Rela