FLARE Announcements
The Transition of Power
Every four to eight years, there is a transition of presidential power in the United States. The 2024 presidential election is over and on January 20, 2025 at exactly 12 noon, we will witness not only a presidential transition, but also the transition of the US first lady. It is a role with no rule book and no constitutional authority but with enormous opportunities.
Read More >FLARE Recorded Programing Reminders
Tuesday night, October 29, FLARE held the second part of a two-part series on First Ladies, Convention Speeches and Campaigning. The program was on Republican first ladies and the first program on August 21st was on Democratic first ladies.
Read More >FLARE Program: Part 2 of First Ladies on the Campaign Trail--The Republican Women, October 29 at 7pm
Reminder: you can view the recorded program on FLARE's YouTube channel.
Read More >FLARE's Exciting New Podcast Series American FLOTUS
New Podcast Series, American FLOTUS, Debuts Today
First Episode Puts Spotlight on the Role of a Future First Gentleman
The First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and American POTUS, the popular podcast about the US presidency, have launched a new joint podcast, American FLOTUS.The series will focus on US first ladies, their impact, legacies, and evolution of the role and office.
Read More >FLARE Offers: Demystifying the Mysterious Mrs Nixon: A First Lady Revealed
View on Facebook or on YouTube - click More Info for the links
Bob Bostock, who curated the Pat Nixon Centennial exhibit at the Nixon Library, interviews Heath Hardage Lee about her new book, The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington's Most Private First Lady.
Read More >FLARE August Virtual Program: First Ladies on the Campaign Trail
August 21, 2024 7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT ... Now available on Facebook and YouTube
The name on the top of the presidential ticket is reserved for the candidate alone, but make no mistake--the nominee's spouse is also an important part of the process. Sometimes, their participation is minimal--an effort to present a picture of a united family front. Other potential first ladies are out campaigning on policy and positive reasons to vote their spouse into office. (Think "Vote for Betty's husband" or Clinton's famous, "You get two for the price of one.")
Read More >FLARE congratulates Senator Elizabeth Hanford Dole on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
FLARE congratulates Senator Elizabeth Hanford Dole on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 3, 2024. Senator Dole was the subject of the April 20, 2024 FLARE program titled "Elizabeth Dole: A Pioneering 'Also Ran' for Second and First Lady."
Read More >First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to be the keynote speaker at the First Ladies Luncheon; FLARE's first national conference to follow
I am pleased to let you know that Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, will be the keynote speaker during the annual First Ladies luncheon celebrating the 50th anniversary of Betty Ford’s tenure as First Lady. The luncheon will be followed by FLARE's first national conference showcasing Former First Lady Ford’s leadership and commemorating her 1984 groundbreaking conference on First Ladies.
Read More >In Sickness and in the White House: First Ladies' Illnesses from the 1840s to the 1980s
In case you missed the March 28 presentation of..... you can access it on your YouTube channel and our Facebook page (see full article)
Description: While less noticed than the presidents’ health, first ladies’ health--mental and physical--has been closely related to their husbands’ abilities to do their jobs. Both their well-being and their interests in health issues have served as an area of their advocacy for them and the nation. Whether it was Betty Ford and breast cancer or addiction, Rosalynn Carter and mental health, or Michelle Obama and children’s obesity, first ladies have raised awareness for others. But at times, these women have also been terribly ill themselves; three died in office and Florence Harding nearly did. Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan faced breast cancer diagnoses and treatment. Focusing on those women who experienced serious illness, this panel explores first ladies' struggles with health, and health advocacy.Read More >FLARE Presents FLOTUS, the Media and Challenging Old Narratives
In case you missed it, the January 31, 2024 program with Jennifer Taylor and Erin Donaghue is now available at the links below.
Description: America’s first ladies and their relationship with the media date back to Martha Washington. Even now, the challenges historic first ladies have faced with the press are similar to the challenges modern first ladies face today. As the position of the president’s spouse has evolved, so has the media. Join the First Ladies Association for Research and Education for a lively conversation with East Wing Magazine journalists Jennifer Taylor and Erin Donaghue about the challenges between first ladies and the media; about the changing landscape of the media and how presidential spouses have adapted; and about East Wing Magazine and its mission to flip the traditional narratives told about first ladies and the greater East Wing.What: Discussion moderated by Diana Carlin
When: 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024Read More >
Happy New Year From FLARE
As new president of FLARE I wish all FLARE members a Happy New Year and welcome you to an exciting new year with FLARE. We have plans for more robust virtual programs and social hours - please check our website and watch for our emails for details - along with some new benefits for members. We are going to work on expanding the reach of FLARE's important mission to promote and publicize research and education about the contributions, lives, impact and lasting legacies of U.S. first ladies.
I look forward to working with you to make 2024 a very successful year for FLARE.
Nancy Kegan Smith
President, FLARE
FLARE Program ... Edith Wilson: Overnight Sensation
Now vailable for viewing on Flare's Facebook Page and YouTube Page. The link(s) are at the end of the announcement.
FLARE Program December 11, 2023
7 pm EST
Rebecca Roberts with Heath Lee
"Roberts isn’t interested in venerating Wilson as a saint; nor is she looking to magnify the First Lady’s flaws. Rather, she lets Edith be Edith, which is to say messy and complicated, as most humans are."
