The National First Ladies Day Commission was formed in 2021 to lead a national initiative to honor our nation’s First Ladies with a national day of service. The commission was started by Rev. Nicholas W. Inman of Marshfield, Missouri and soon the commission included Presidential descendants, historians, educators and those interested in honoring the First Ladies. A national announcement was made about First Ladies Day at the annual Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival Tea in April 2022 with Andrew Och (The First Ladies Man) as the keynote speaker.
The charter commission was composed of Inman, Mary Jean Eisenhower (granddaughter of President Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower), Massee McKinley (Society of Presidential Descendants), Ulysses Grant Dietz (great, great grandson of President Ulysses and Julia Grant), Jennifer Coolidge (Sayles) Harville (great granddaughter of President Calvin and Grace Coolidge), Andrew Och (First Ladies Man), James Earl Carter IV (grandson of President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter), Jennie Highfield (Executive Director, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens), Dr. Andy Person (Long Island University) and Patricia Taft (great granddaughter of President William Howard and Helen Herron Taft). Eisenhower and McKinley were elected as co-chairpersons and Highfield as the secretary.
In 2022, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter sent a letter to officially acknowledge First Ladies Day, which was read at the announcement ceremony at the Cherry Blossom Tea. Later, the letter was donated to the National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio.
On March 30, 2022, the National Day Calendar declared that they would recognize the last Saturday of each April as National First Ladies Day. This was a great move forward for the commission and they now hope to move forward with trying to have the last Saturday of April declared as a national holiday to honor the nation’s First Ladies.
This day commemorates the founding First Lady of the United States in conjunction with the inauguration of President George Washington on April 30, 1789. The last Saturday of April is a day to recognize the role first ladies have played in molding our nation. American citizens share love and reverence for First Ladies who valiantly and selflessly served their husbands while both serving their country and the American people.
This day is a day of community service honoring all First Ladies or a specific First Lady of the volunteer’s choosing. The Commission has the support of many presidential descendants, the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival and several experts on the American First Ladies.
Since 1789, a first lady or hostess has accompanied every president. Starting with Martha Washington, first ladies have helped set a tone in the highest office of the land. Even the country’s only bachelor president, James Buchannan, required someone to act as hostess. Harriet Lane, the president’s niece, stepped into the role of the first lady. She presented a well-ordered White House with tact and grace. Lane isn’t the only relative to serve in the role of the first lady. Several other presidents held office as widowers requiring someone to step into the role as a de facto first lady, too.
While they aren’t elected, many of them campaign alongside their spouse. Others have served as elected or appointed officials in many different capacities. In addition to serving as the hostess of the White House, the first lady is elected or appointed to ceremonial roles, such as honorary president of the Girl Scouts or the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. First ladies are educated, activists, advocates and nurturers.
TRADITION OF SERVICE
While nearly every first lady since Martha Washington has been dedicated to a charitable cause, Lady Bird Johnson made it a formal platform. Since then, the country has come to expect the next first lady to continue the tradition of service to the nation.
FIRST LADIES AND SPRING TRADITIONS
Spring is a time of celebration and tradition led by first ladies over the years. Since the first cherry blossom planting in 1912 by First Lady Helen Herron Taft, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place in spring when the blossoms are in full bloom, has become a major event, drawing tourists and locals alike to Washington DC, and communities around the nation. First ladies have supported the cherry blossom celebrations and typically serve as Honorary Chairs of the festival.
HOW TO OBSERVE
#FirstLadiesDay Join the conversation on National First Ladies Day. Schools and communities are encouraged to celebrate the day with events and programs. Participants can learn more about the women who’ve set tradition, supported the president, and become role models for many by reading memoirs, touring museums, or watching documentaries about the first ladies. Have you met a first lady or two? Share your experiences or how you think the first lady role will change over time.
Participants can also:
Promote – Spread the word about First Ladies Day through social media, educational events, local media, or sharing across your networks. Use #FirstLadiesDay when you do. Support – Organize a National First Ladies Day activity in your school, organization, or community, or donate to a Civic Education organization. Volunteer – Celebrate the First Ladies by participating in a service project in your area. The day is an occasion to showcase service in action. Highlight the community service opportunities in communities and demonstrate the results of community service projects. Show service in action in communities, local governments, schools, and organizations. Celebrate National First Ladies Day by using #FirstLadiesDay on social media.
The National kickoff ceremony for National First Ladies Day took place on April 30th at Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Missouri during the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival.