First Ladies Rulers

12" Wooden Ruler made in U.S.A. of American-grown basswood. The role of the First Lady of the United States has never been officially codified or defined. We tend to think if her as the wife of the president. But in the past, the term was also commonly used to describe the role of White House hostess. And that is not always the same thing. For example, Rachel Donelson Jackson died just days after her husband Andrew Jackson was elected president, and before Jackson was inaugurated in 1829. The role of First Lady was assumed by Rachel’s niece Emily Donelson (1829). For each First Lady we have listed first name, maiden name, and married name. The year is the year in which they assumed the function of First Lady as White House hostess, and they are listed in that order. The “head” is that of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (1960), noted for her style and elegance, one of the most photographed people of her time.