Abstract:
The First Ladies of the United States since Eleanor Roosevelt have been associated with supporting public causes, often advocating social or political issues and using their
position as First Lady to become publicly involved in social causes important to them.
The First Lady role in the 1930s and 1940s was redefined with Eleanor Roosevelt,
pushing the role beyond its traditional hostessing designation. However, the foundation
for a socially active First Lady was laid in 1913 and 1914. Ellen Axson Wilson, first wife
of Woodrow Wilson, helped in the development of the social activist First Lady by
becoming publicly involved in social reform and urban renewal, directed towards the
slums of Washington, D.C. Ellen began her reforming efforts within weeks of her
husband’s inauguration. These efforts focused on cleaning up the grim conditions in the
predominately African American alley dwellings. Ellen participated in the National Civic
Federation, was actively involved in the Alley Dwelling Act of 1914, and was honored
with public housing bearing her name. These accomplishments help illustrate a few of the precedents that highlight Ellen’s importance as First Lady of the United States.
