Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies

When West began his career in the White House in 1941, there were only 10 women out of 535 in the House and Senate. Later that decade, the Supreme Court ruled that it was constitutionally permissible to bar women from certain professions, such as bartending. Women had gained the right to vote only 21 years before in 1920. In reality, only men, and white men at that, were electable for the office of the president. Eleanor Roosevelt challenged stereotypes by championing so many causes in the White House and taking the pulse of public opinion. Bess Truman, though a political confidant of her husband’s, concealed that role from the public. Both Mamie Eisenhower and Jackie Kennedy conformed to the traditional role of first lady, as they focused their public efforts on the furnishings, decorations, and entertainment at the White House.

In the early 1960s, the Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights Act were passed. Both laws awarded rights to women. With the civil rights movement at that time as well, women were demanding political recognition and fair treatment. Lady Bird Johnson accordingly transformed the role of the first lady. She advocated for a political cause, beautification, which became a precursor to the environmental movement.