America Quote by Shana Alexander
“Roughly speaking, the President of the United States knows what his job is. Constitution and custom spell it out, for him as well as for us. His wife has no such luck. The First Lady has no rules; rather each new woman must make her own.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Atlantic, 1975
The President’s duties are defined by law and tradition, while the First Lady’s role lacks formal guidelines, leaving her to define her own path.
In simple terms: Presidential role is codified; First Lady’s is not.
Key Takeaway
Create your own purpose.
Themes
leadership
gender roles
politics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political
social
When to use this quote
- public office
- spouse of leader
- media scrutiny
Key Concepts
institutional authority
social expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How should a First Lady shape her influence?
- What responsibilities should be informal?
A Different Perspective
Lack of clear expectations can cause ambiguity and pressure.
![“I think the fact that she [Eleanor Roosevelt] was a woman probably in those days would have been an additional criticism, although first ladies by definition in those days were women. There's always been a problem and still is, about the role the first lady should play, of course. Everybody's seen…” quote by William A. Rusher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dbf/william-a-rusher-20922_clinton_i-think-the-fact-that-she-eleanor-roosev_133419.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
