First Lady Leadership: Rosalyn Carter & Betty - Views & Scrutiny - Essay Sample

Introduction

The first lady leadership is often considered as an undermined role by the different stakeholders. Women who have had the opportunity to inhabit the various roles since the period of Martha Washington have made interpretations of their functions. At the same time, such women have encountered different scrutiny and approval from their countries throughout their way (Chanley, 550). One typical example of women who have been influenced into performing their roles include Rosalyn Carter and Betty Ford of the republican. The contemporary conceptions about womanhood majorly inspired the functions of these women. In the 1960s and 1970s, the national discussion shifted and majorly focused on the role of women (Chanley, 550). As a result, all these aspects resulted in the emergence of the women's rights movements conventionally referred to as the second-wave feminism.

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Ford and Carte are a clear reflection of time. Carter is among the first ladies in the history of the United States. The roles of first ladies in the United States have received various debates for a long time. According to Carter, most first ladies may be criticized in multiple ways regardless of the crucial roles that they play in society. Carter is known to have received a lot of criticism for influencing her spouse in matters of governing the country. Carter played crucial roles in advising the president; as a result, she played significant roles in fighting for the advocation of specific policies that focused on women (Chanley, 552). In the year 1977, after Cater had taken the inaugural platform while supporting her husband Jimmy Carter, Mrs. cater performed various political roles while in the white house. Jimmy Carter relied heavily on his wife Roselyn as his political advisor as well as strategist. Historically, first ladies were given the freedom to avoid associating themselves with political and public affairs (Chanley, 552). Since Carter knew that first ladies had the opportunity of using their influence, she went ahead and took advantage of her position and influenced the fulfillment of essential goals for the general well-being of the nation. From her activities, she played crucial roles in shaping the second Wave feminism.

Betty Ford can be described as a feminist voice in the white house. Gerald Ford, on the ninth of August, became the thirty eight president of the United States. After assuming office, Betty Ford used her position to address issues, including the controversial ones that she truly cares for (Tobin, 761). While Ford was the first lady, she tirelessly fought for the battle against breast cancer as well as supported the equal rights Amendment Act (ERA). The fact that Betty Ford could openly talk about controversial issues while in the white house made her a feminist representation to the other women (Tobin, 761). On one occasion, Ford boldly and openly spoke at the national stage in a context supporting women right's movements. Both Ford and Carter are a reflection of the second-wave feminism. The fact that Ford openly championed the fight against breast cancer is a clear indication she cared for the healthcare of women. She felt the pain of watching women lining up as they went for breast examination. All these events created widespread social impact and showered Ford of her true powers while in the position of a first lady.

First lady Betty Ford and Roslyn Carter are similar and different in various ways. Both the two ladies served crucial roles in giving rise to the second wave movement. Both the First ladies served the purposes of political advisors to their husbands and greatly influenced them in some of their actions. However, they are also different in various ways. For instance, Betty Ford was never afraid and boldly spoke of controversial topics in society. Carter, on the other hand, actively participated in various campaigns and community development programs with the primary aim of alleviating the problems affecting women in society (Chanley, 563). Carter's active involvement in her husband's campaigns played crucial roles in allowing President Carter to win in his elections. Nonetheless, both the two first ladies played essential roles in influencing the Second-wave feminism.

Carter and Ford had a significant influence on culture during their time as first ladies. Women in society are seen as weak and products to be controlled by their husbands. However, the two first ladies changed these aspects in the community. They were able to go ahead and influenced the execution of critical tasks while in Whitehouse. Their open discussions created a forum for increasing women recognition in society as opposed to the olden days. Most women in American society were only given subordinates roles. However, Cater, and Ford changed all these aspects by clearly defining the role of women as wives and mothers.

Work cited

Chanley, Virginia A. "The first lady as Presidential advisor, policy advocate, and surrogate: Rosalynn Carter and the political role of the first lady." White House Studies 1.4 (2001): 549-564. https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA86058407&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=15354768&p=AONE&sw=w

Tobin, Leesa E. "Betty Ford as first lady: A woman for women." Presidential Studies Quarterly 20.4 (1990): 761-767. file:///C:/Users/Administrator/Downloads/Ford%20as%20First%20Lady%20(2).pdf