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Graphic
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: First Ladies' Travels

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out some of the exotic and not-so exotic trips some of the First Ladies of the United States have gone on while their husbands are in office.
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Graphic
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: First Lady's Role in Diplomacy

For Students 9th - 10th
A gallery of photographs identifying several of the First Ladies immersing themselves into diplomatic situations.
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PPT
Other

Object of History: Lincoln Keckley Dress (Mrs. Lincoln and Her Dressmaker)

For Students 9th - 10th
Written and audio overview of the purple dress worn by Mary Todd Lincoln and the dressmaker who created it for her. Explore how fashion was an important part of her role as "First Lady."
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Handout
Other

Women's International Center: Hillary Rodham Clinton

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Hillary Rodham Clinton's life and political career before she became First Lady of the White House.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Eleanor Roosevelt

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief account of Eleanor Roosevelt's importance to her husband's administration and agenda. Accompanied by a photograph taken by Lotte Jacobi.
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Handout
National Women's Hall of Fame

National Women's Hall of Fame: Hillary Rodham Clinton

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a biography of the former First Lady and the first woman U.S. Senator from the state of New York. She is a 2005 inductee of the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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Handout
Bill of Rights Institute

Bill of Rights Institute: Abigail Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
Abigail Smith Adams was born in Massachusetts, a descendant of the distinguished Quincy family. She married young lawyer John Adams in 1764. They settled on a farm in Braintree, Massachusetts. The couple had four surviving children,...
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Handout
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Gerald Ford: Elizabeth "Betty" Ford, First Lady

For Students 9th - 10th
Article chronicles the life of Betty Ford, known for her pro-women stance during the 1970s. Important topics include her candid approach to issues such as breast cancer, addictions to alcohol and pain medications, psychiatric counseling,...
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Handout
The White House

The White House: Biography of Abigail Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
Profile of First Lady Abigail Adams (1744-1818), wife of the second President of the United States, John Adams.
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Handout
The White House

The White House: First Ladies: Martha Washington

For Students 9th - 10th
This article on Martha Washington discusses her first marriage and her role as First Lady during the presidency of her second husband, George Washington.
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Handout
The White House

The White House: First Ladies' Gallery

For Students 3rd - 5th
Here from The White House you can find out about all of the wives of the presidents. Read about their early years, to their lives as wives of a president, and on to their later lives.
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Handout
The White House

The White House: First Ladies: Dolley Madison

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of one of the best known and best loved First Ladies of the White House, Dolley Madison.
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Handout
The White House

The White House: First Lady Michelle Obama

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers detailed information about First Lady Michelle Obama including a biography, up to the minute news, speeches and her initiatives.
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Handout
The White House

The White House: First Ladies: Barbara Bush

For Students 9th - 10th
From the official website of The White House, a brief biography of Barbara Bush.
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Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Fdr: Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Miller Center of Public Affairs gives a detailed biography of the life of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The page also provides links to the biography of her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as his Cabinet...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Martha Washington Creates the Role of First Lady

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This essay, borrowed from the full text located at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, provides biographical information about Martha Washington and her role as the First Lady of the...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: First Ladies

For Teachers 5th - 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational passage contains biographical information about various first ladies throughout the world. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Timeline: Eleanor Roosevelt

For Students 3rd - 8th
An organized timeline of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. Provides a year to year outline of her life and the many positive things she did to help our country.
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Handout
Other

Women in History: Eleanor Roosevelt

For Students 3rd - 8th
The life of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) is described in detail. Includes links to additional information.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Patricia R. Nixon

For Students 9th - 10th
A portrait of Patricia Nixon and a discussion of her role as political wife.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

For Students 9th - 10th
A portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy, painted by Boris Chaliapin, that appeared on Time Magazine in 1961. Included are her thoughts about becoming First Lady.
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Website
Other

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you will learn about the wildflower center founded by Lady Bird Johnson. Learn about the center, check out the children's page for quick games and facts, or go on a native plant search! You can even see a photo of Lady Bird herself.
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Article
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Abigail Smith Adams

For Students 9th - 10th
Encyclopedia Britannica provides a biography of Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818 CE), wife of President John Adams and avid letter writer. Additional content includes the full text to two of her letters.
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Article
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Barbara Pierce Bush

For Students 9th - 10th
Details of the life of First Lady, Barbara Pierce Bush.