It all began with @Martha @Washington, the wife of the first president of the @United @States. When she took up residence in the @President's @House in New @York City in 1789, the @American people had a new interest -- their first lady. Since Martha Washington's time, the interest of the American people in the wife of their president has grown stronger and, sometimes, more affectionate.
From the moment her husband becomes president, a first lady's life is changed. She becomes a public figure -- a celebrity, whose face is seen in every magazine and newspaper and on every television screen. Her personal life has to take second place to her responsibilities as first lady. She becomes the country's official hostess, the person who welcomes the rulers of many nations to the United States in the name of the American people. Since the United States has become a leading power in the world, Washington has become a world capital as well as the national one. The first lady is now expected to be a hostess to the world, as well as to the nation. She must entertain people whose customs and language are completely different from those of the United States. And millions of people -- some tourists, some famous diplomats, some royalty -- pass though the White House each year.
The duties of the first lady have grown more and more demanding as the importance of the United States has grown among the nations of the world. Today, the first lady is expected to take part in her husband's election campaign, if she is able. In fact, her support may be crucial to winning the election in the first place.
And one of the biggest jobs any first lady has is running the president's official house, the White House. There are 132 rooms in the White House, as well as a large staff of household employees. It is the first lady's job to see that the White House staff does its work well. Since the White House is the only American house many important visitors see, the first lady must make sure that it is well run and a pleasant place to visit.
The family that lives in the White House has always been the subject of newspaper and magazine stories. Everything the president's family does becomes national, and even worldwide, news. Therefore there is little privacy. Many first ladies have disliked this part of their official lives. It has been especially difficult for first ladies who have tried to raise children while their husbands have been in office.
But many first ladies, despite all of their household duties, have played important roles in their husbands' careers and in the life of the nation. Let's look at a few.
@Martha @Dandridge @Custis Washington grew up on a large plantation in @Virginia. She had no formal education, for girls in those days were rarely taught outside their own homes. She learned reading and writing from private tutors who came to her. She also had lessons in sewing, housekeeping, cooking, dancing, and music û essential subjects for girls at that time.
At 17, she was one of the most popular young ladies in @Williamsburg, and at 18 she married a prosperous planter named @Daniel @Parke Custis. Seven years after their marriage, Custis died, leaving Martha a wealthy young widow with two small children.
Martha Custis first met @Colonel @George Washingon a year after her husband's death. They were married in 1759 and settled down at @Mount @Vernon, Washington's plantation. Their gracious, comfortable life was interrupted when Washington was called to head the @Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
During the war years, Lady Washington, as she was called, did not spare herself.
