
The role of the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is not addressed in the Constitution and has never been codified or officially defined. The position is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties. The role has evolved over the centuries, with the First Lady typically acting as the hostess of the White House, organising and attending official ceremonies and functions of state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Position | Not an elected one |
| Duties | Ceremonial |
| Role | Hostess of the White House |
| Attendance | At official ceremonies and functions of state |
| Themes | Public woman, political celebrity, political activist, political interloper |
| Influence | Behind-the-scenes influence over the president |
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What You'll Learn
- The role of the first lady is not addressed in the Constitution
- The first lady is the hostess of the White House
- The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries
- The first lady has a prominent position in American political and social life
- The first lady has a behind-the-scenes influence over the president

The role of the first lady is not addressed in the Constitution
The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries. Traditionally, the spouse of the President served as the hostess and was in charge of all things domestic. However, this role has shifted and formalised over the history of the United States. Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1032–1961); as political activist (1964–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001).
The first lady of the United States (FLOTUS) figures prominently in the political and social life of the country. While the role has never been officially defined, the first lady has been assisted by her event staff since the early 20th century, which has grown over the years to include communications, personal, and program staff.
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The first lady is the hostess of the White House
The role of the first lady is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties. The position is not addressed in the Constitution and has never been codified or officially defined. However, the first lady has a highly visible position in American society and figures prominently in the political and social life of the United States.
The first lady is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House. She organises and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the president. Traditionally, the spouse of the president served as the hostess and was in charge of all things domestic. However, that role has evolved. When a president has been unmarried or a widower, he has usually asked a relative to act as White House hostess. Since the early 20th century, the first lady has been assisted by her event staff, which has grown over the years to include communications, personal, and program staff.
The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries. Martha Washington created the role and hosted many affairs of state at the national capital (New York and Philadelphia). Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1032–1961); as political activist (1964–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001).
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The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries
The first lady is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House. She organises and attends official ceremonies and functions of state, either along with or in place of the president. Traditionally, she was in charge of all things domestic, but that role has evolved. Since the early 20th century, the first lady has been assisted by her own event staff, which has grown over the years to include communications, personal, and program staff.
Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1932–1961); as political activist (1064–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001). The role has shifted and formalised over the history of the United States, and the actions of the Clinton Administration and the role of Hillary Clinton have brought the debate about the first lady's role to the fore.
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The first lady has a prominent position in American political and social life
The first lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is a title typically held by the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. The first lady has a prominent position in American political and social life. However, the role of the first lady is not addressed in the Constitution and has never been codified or officially defined. The position is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties. Nonetheless, first ladies have held a highly visible position in American society. The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries. She is, first and foremost, the hostess of the White House. She organises and attends official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the president.
Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1932–1961); as political activist (1064–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001). Martha Washington created the role and hosted many affairs of state at the national capital (New York and Philadelphia).
While the first lady's role has never been officially defined, history is replete with examples of powerful wives who have wielded an influence that only one spouse can have over another.
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The first lady has a behind-the-scenes influence over the president
The role of the first lady is not addressed in the Constitution and has never been codified or officially defined. However, the first lady has a behind-the-scenes influence over the president. The position is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties, but the first lady is highly visible in American society. She is the hostess of the White House, and organises and attends official ceremonies and functions of state.
The role of the first lady has evolved over the centuries. Martha Washington created the role and hosted many affairs of state at the national capital. Since the early 20th century, the first lady has been assisted by her own event staff, which has grown over the years to include communications, personal, and program staff.
Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1932–1961); as political activist (1964–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001).
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Frequently asked questions
The role of the First Lady is not addressed in the Constitution and has never been codified or officially defined. The position is not an elected one and carries only ceremonial duties.
The First Lady is the hostess of the White House. She organises and attends official ceremonies and functions of state, either along with or in place of the President.
The role of the First Lady has evolved over the centuries. Lisa Burns identifies four successive main themes of the first ladyship: as public woman (1900–1929); as political celebrity (1932–1961); as political activist (1964–1977); and as political interloper (1980–2001).

























