First Ladies Revealed
2017 · Smithsonian Channel · 60 min · 1 season
S01E04 · Trailblazers
Mon, 24 July, 11:00 am
Meet two first ladies who stepped out of their husbands' shadows and made a major difference in their own right: Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton as First Ladies challenged conventional wisdom about the role of women.
About
First Ladies Revealed examines some of the most prominent and remarkable women - trailblazers, style icons, diplomats, war heroes, and global superstars. From Dolley Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Jackie Kennedy to Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and more, the series tells the stories of some of the women who left their indelible mark on the White House and the nation. Smithsonian Channel reveals their challenges and celebrates their achievements, going beyond their public lives to tell their private stories.
Some used captivating style to boost diplomacy. Some offered compassionate calm in days of war. Some embraced the role they never expected to make a difference. And some seized the role they always dreamed of to blaze a trail. Every first lady has their own tale to tell, and this series examines some of the women who left their indelible mark on the White House and in history. Join us as we go beyond the public lives to tell the private stories of Dolley Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton, and more.
Episodes
- E01
The Power of Style
Mon, 3 July· 60 minDolley Madison. Jackie Kennedy. Nancy Reagan. Three women who helped brand their husbands' presidencies by knowing the importance of image and style. Join us as we examine their days in the White House and how they defined their position through a mix of diplomacy, glamour, and when necessary, grit. From grand entrances at inaugural balls to meeting foreign leaders, we show how these stylish women left their mark on the White House and on American history.
- E02
Twists of Fate
Mon, 10 July· 60 minWhether adding the West Wing or championing women's rights, these three first ladies embraced a job they never expected to hold. Lady Bird Johnson, Edith Roosevelt, and Betty Ford inherited the role of First Lady by chance during times when the nation was looking for stability.
- E03
In Times of War
Mon, 17 July· 60 minUnder constant scrutiny, Mary Todd Lincoln spends her time quietly visiting the wounded during the Civil War. Driven by a great sense of duty to the troops, Eleanor Roosevelt risks her life to enter the Pacific theater. Thrust into a new role after 9/11, Laura Bush's compassion earns her the nickname, "Comforter in Chief." Join us as we celebrate these three extraordinary women, who served their country at a time when it was most needed, and helped the country cope through times of tragedy and trauma.
- E04
Trailblazers
Mon, 24 July· 60 minMeet two first ladies who stepped out of their husbands' shadows and made a major difference in their own right: Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton as First Ladies challenged conventional wisdom about the role of women.
Cast
Debora Weston
Narrator