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First Ladies Symposium: First Ladies Reconsidered

The 2021 First Ladies Symposium was a day-long event, hosted by the White House Historical Association in partnership with American University's First Ladies Initiative. This symposium featured prominent scholars, historians, and professionals who discussed first ladies and gender; first ladies reconsidered; first ladies and communications; and first ladies and their role in historic preservation efforts.This panel features: Anita McBride, Director

Video

First Ladies Symposium: First Ladies and Gender

The 2021 First Ladies Symposium was a day-long event, hosted by the White House Historical Association in partnership with American University's First Ladies Initiative. This symposium featured prominent scholars, historians, and professionals who discussed first ladies and gender; first ladies reconsidered; first ladies and communications; and first ladies and their role in historic preservation efforts.This panel features: Colleen Shogan, Senior

Video

First Ladies Symposium: Welcome and Introduction

The 2021 First Ladies Symposium was a day-long event, hosted by the White House Historical Association in partnership with American University's First Ladies Initiative. This symposium featured prominent scholars, historians, and professionals who discussed first ladies and gender; first ladies reconsidered; first ladies and communications; and first ladies and their role in historic preservation efforts.This panel features remarks from:Stewart

Scholarship

Christmas with the Johnson Family

The White House celebrates many holiday traditions, some of which are historic and others more recent. New arrivals to the Executive Mansion bring unique familial rituals that are often blended with time-tested White House and presidential customs. During the holiday season, the president and first lady participate in public traditions such as receiving a tree for the Blue Room, lighting

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The First Ladies Symposium Contributors

Jill BidenJill Tracy Jacobs Biden was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. Growing up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Upper Moreland High School in 1969. She attended the University of Delaware, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English in 1975. That same year, she met Senator Joseph R. Biden of Delaware. On June 17, 1977, they were married in New York Ci

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The First Ladies Symposium Schedule

May 6, 2021This program will be virtual9:00-9:15amWelcome and Overview Jill Biden, First Lady of the United StatesAnita McBride, Director of American University’s First Ladies Initiative and White House Historical Association Board MemberFrederick J. Ryan Jr., Chairman, Board of Directors, White House Historical Association Sylvia Burwell, President, American University9:15-10:35amFirst Ladies and GenderIntroduced and moderated by Colleen Shogan, Se

Scholarship

The Life and Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson

On November 22, 1963, about two hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson took the Oath of Office aboard Air Force One at Love Field in Dallas, becoming the thirty-sixth president of the United States. About two weeks later, President Johnson, First Lady Claudia (“Lady Bird”) Johnson, and their daughter, Luci Baines Johnson, moved into the