A Thank You to Former U.S. First Ladies by Maria Grant

I’ve often thought about what a privilege and opportunity it would be to be the First Lady of the United States. What an amazing platform for championing causes through various initiatives and advocacy groups and for inspiring and motivating others to support those efforts. 

Here are some examples of how such First Lady advocacy movements have had an impact.

Dolley Madison saved national treasures, including a portrait of George Washington, and held social events to unite political opponents.

Abigail Adams was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and the abolition of slavery.

Eleanor Roosevelt championed civil rights, women’s rights, and human rights.

Jackie Kennedy spearheaded the historic restoration of the White House and founded the White House Historical Association to preserve its artifacts and history.

Lady Bird Johnson advocated for environmental protection and conservation, successfully championing the Highway Beautification Act. 

Betty Ford raised national awareness for breast cancer and was an open advocate for women’s rights and substance abuse treatment.

Rosalyn Carter was a prominent advocate for mental health reform and co-founded The Carter Center to advance human rights and alleviate suffering worldwide. 

Nancy Reagan led the “Just Say No” drug awareness and prevention campaign.

Barbara Bush and Laura Bush both championed literacy and educational initiatives.

Hillary Clinton led the task force on National Health Care Reform. 

Michelle Obama focused on fighting childhood obesity through her Let’s Move campaign and promoted healthy eating.

Jill Biden revitalized the Joining Forces initiative to support military families.

Each of these former First Ladies, with sincerity and credibility, focused on issues and causes that were near and dear to their hearts. 

In contrast, during her first term as First Lady, Melania Trump rolled out an anti-bullying campaign called “Be Best” which pretty much went nowhere, especially after she wore the “I Don’t Care Do U” jacket on a visit to child detention camps at the U.S.-Mexico border. I doubt that the irony was lost on many that bullying was her cause of choice given her husband’s proclivity to do exactly that.

During her second term, Melania wrote a letter to Putin asking him to protect the innocence of children. I’m not sure Putin is listening in that it is estimated that more than 660 Ukrainian children have been killed and more than 19,000 children have been kidnapped since Russia’s full-scale invasion. (Melania should have also considered writing a letter to her husband about the innocence of children given his slashing of SNAP benefits, Head Start funding, pediatric cancer research funding, and rolling back of environmental regulations that promote cleaner air and water.)

Last week, Melania spoke to soldiers at a military base in North Carolina and explained to them that thanks to artificial intelligence soldiers would soon be replaced by robots. I am sure the soldiers welcomed that piece of dystopian wisdom. 

The New York Times has reported that during the first 108 days of Trump’s second term, Melania spent 14 days at the White House, instead flying at considerable expense, between Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower. (Each of these flights—and remember there are several each month—are estimated to cost taxpayers approximately $65,000 between flight costs and Secret Service protection.)

Amazon is paying Melania $40 million for a documentary on her life. It is estimated that she will receive 70 percent of those funds. 

Many First Ladies have authored books after their time in office was over. None other than Melania have profited in such fashion while in office.

It’s difficult to understand why someone with such a compelling and powerful platform would essentially choose to go radio silent. There is much to be done to make this country a better place. It’s a sad day when a person in the catbird’s seat chooses to look the other way. 

While I am disappointed in Melania’s meager contributions to worthy causes, on this Thanksgiving week, I am grateful to so many former First Ladies for their advocacy and efforts to improve our country. It’s a reminder to all of us that we too can invest in worthy causes to make the world a better place. 

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Maria Grant, formerly principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm, now focuses on writing, reading, music, bicycling, and nature.