First Lady of the United States Worksheets First Lady Facts
The First Lady of the United States, while not an elected official, plays an important role in the United States government. Since the early 20th century, First Ladies have championed for social and political change in the United States, launching various initiatives that have led to major reform in education, environmental law, women’s rights, healthcare, and the arts appreciation.
Background Information ★ The First Lady of the United States is often referred to as the FLOTUS. ★ Despite having no official job description, the First Lady has her own office in the White House, called the Office of the First Lady, where she is able to complete her work towards charitable causes. Here, she manages between 15-30 of her own employees!
KIDSKONNECT.COM First Lady Facts
“Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.” - Lady Bird Johnson
★ The First Lady of the United States’ primary job is to plan and attend all White House functions (sometimes even in place of her husband). She is a hostess and, in her husband’s absence, a representative of the country. ★ Despite holding an important role, both socially and politically, in the White House, the First Lady receives no payment for her activities in the four years that her husband is in office. ★ The role of the First Lady has changed a lot since Martha Washington first took the role! Each First Lady chooses her own political and/or social platform to advocate for during her husband’s presidency. Recent initiatives have included funding literacy programs, promoting anti-bullying campaigns, and combating the childhood obesity epidemic.
First Lady Profile Who: Lady Bird Johnson What: Campaigned for the beautification of federally maintained property, such as the American highway system. She championed the 1965 Highway Beautification Act, also known as “Lady Bird’s Bill”.
KIDSKONNECT.COM First Lady Facts
★ While the Office of the First Lady is typically held by a president’s wife, this position can also be filled by a daughter or friend to the President. ★ The role of the First Lady is revered by the public, so many people enjoy learning about their lives and accomplishments. Many first ladies have published memoirs or autobiographies detailing their lives both in and out of the White House. Their books are usually best-sellers and oftentimes are more popular than those of their husbands.
First Lady Profile Who: Michelle Obama What: Spearheaded the Let’s Move! campaign to combat childhood obesity rates in America which led to the foundation of the Taskforce on Childhood Obesity.
First Lady Profile Who: Barbara Bush What: Campaigned for increased instruction in literacy and founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989. Publicly advocated for homeless and elderly people in her eight years as First Lady.
KIDSKONNECT.COM First Lady Facts
★ The First Lady helps reinvent the White House when her husband takes office, hiring an interior designer to change the decor to suit their family for the next 4-8 years. She is also responsible for decorating the White House for the holidays, including selecting and decorating their many Christmas trees. ★ Many of the First Ladies have donated dresses and other garments of clothing to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. At the museum, these garments are preserved and displayed with historical context and notes on their accomplishments.
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.”
First Lady Profile Who: Eleanor Roosevelt What: Eleanor changed the role of First Lady by actively engaging with the American public through a newspaper column that was published every day. Additionally, she was politically involved and made great change during her twelve years in the office - she formed the National Youth Administration to provide education and jobs to young Americans during the Great Depression and co-chaired the Office of Civilian Defense to boost morale during World War II. She was an outspoken advocate for the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Rights Movement. Later, she would be nicknamed “First Lady of the World” by Harry Truman for her humanitarian efforts. KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______Job Description
As we have learned, the First Lady may have no official job description, but there are several tasks she must complete and traditions she must uphold to maintain her office. Below, write a brief job description for the First Lady using this information.
What traditions must the First Lady follow?
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KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______Wonder Women: Work of the First Ladies
Match each cause to the appropriate First Lady by drawing a line between their portrait and their accomplishments.
Helped advocate to improve children’s reading and writing Eleanor abilities Roosevelt
Worked for Barbara Bush environmental conservation and federal property beautification
Campaigned to end the epidemic of Michelle childhood obesity Obama through diet and exercise; reformed school lunch programs
Civil and Women’s Rights activist who Lady Bird broke tradition by Johnson inviting African Americans into the White House
KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______First Lady Find-It
As you’ve learned, the First Lady of the United States has a very important position! In the word search below, find SEVEN terms related to the First Lady and her duties.
B R I G H T S L P F
A E R Y F V A I X I
I W A Z L E I T L R
N E E U O S G E M S
I D U P T T U R H T
A F C Q U I B A B L
T G I O S K F C N A
I G B A E N M Y A D
V A D V O C A T E Y
E F H O S T E S S Y
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KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______First Lady Feature
We’ve featured four First Ladies for you to learn about, now it’s your turn to do some research! Using the internet, look up TWO additional First Ladies. Find their pictures and THREE facts about each.
Fact 1:
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Who is it? ______
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KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______Compare and Contrast
Throughout this unit, you’ve been introduced to several First Ladies. Using what you’ve learned as a starting point, complete some additional research and compare two of America’s First Ladies; how are they different? How are they similar?
KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______Symbolizing the First Lady
A seal is a symbolic design used to authenticate official documents and signify their importance. While the president is granted his own seal, the First Lady has not yet been granted this stamp. Based on what you know about the position of the First Lady, design a seal for her office.
KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: ______First Lady Memoirs
Many First Ladies have written memoirs about their time in office. Now is your chance to write a First Lady’s story. Choose a First Lady that we have studied and write her biography. Include a picture of your First Lady:
Early Life (date of birth, city of birth, family information, education):
Professional Life (before taking Office):
Work as a First Lady (causes, significant contributions, changes, etc.):
Who is it? ______
KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: First Lady Field Day
First Ladies get to choose a cause they care about to champion through the duration of their husband’s term of service. Compose a short essay about what cause you would champion if you were First Lady.
Title:
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KIDSKONNECT.COM Name: Web Mapping
Using the web map, let us summarize what you’ve learned today! Fill in the categories with information you remember.
Who Are Some What Initiatives have First Ladies led? Notable First Ladies?
First Ladies
What responsibilities Who was the best fall on the First Lady? First Lady? Why? Name: First Lady Quiz
Now that you’ve finished learning about the First Ladies, put your knowledge to the test with this quiz. Let’s see how much you can remember! Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or term.
1. The First Lady of the United States is known as the FLOTUS. 2. The First Lady of the United States works to create social and political change. 3. Lady Bird Johnson changed the country with the 1965 Highway Beautification Act, also known as Lady Bird’s Bill. 4. Despite having an important role, the First Lady of the United states receives no pay for her work. 5. The position of First Lady of the United States usually goes to the president’s wife (but has, in the past, gone to other members of his family). 6. Many First Ladies have donated their dresses to museums.