“For decades, the first ladies exhibition has been one of the most popular attractions at the Smithsonian Institution. It is beloved by visitors who come to admire the famous collection of gowns and to learn about the contributions made by the women who wore them.”
That’s how the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History describes its first ladies exhibit. Except, I learned during a recent trip to D.C., virtually the only contributions the Smithsonian finds worth noting are those that revolve around china patterns and fashion. If the exhibit were displayed under a more fitting name — Fashions of the First Ladies, for example — my disappointment would be tempered. I don’t like that the fashion decisions of the first ladies define their place in history, but at least the exhibit would leave room for visitors to conclude first ladies had other contributions. Because, the fact is, they did.
Today, the first lady has an office, a staff and a budget. Even before this was true, first ladies always had, at the very least, a pedestal, and many had a commitment to using it.
[For more of this story, written by Tara Garcia Mathewson, go to https://medium.com/@taragm218/...it-from-af37576eac0a]
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