Comparative of Woman’s Roles throughout the centuries

On November 4, 2008, President Obama was elected as the first African America President of the United States of America. This was a Mile stone in American history. In 1865, the country lost our sixteenth President, Mr Lincoln who was assassinated. Often times it is stated that President Obama and President Lincoln are similar in many ways, may it be their speaking abilities, their campaign strategies and their political issues facing the nation during their term in office.
The wives of these two men marked their place in history and progress forward the roles of women during their husband’s time in office. Michelle Obama represents the now and Mary Todd Lincoln represents the past which characterize how women roles as the first lady have changed dramatically. In the 20th century there is the first African American “first lady” in the white house. Her presence in the Whitehouse has changed the traditional landscape of what is the norm for society.
The role of the first ladies present and past centuries continues to illustrate how imperative it is for them to identify and engage in the needs of the people. Michelle Obama and Mary Lincoln possess the ability to influence and captivate target groups for support. These women exhibit the ability to balance career, family, and support their spouses.
Michelle was born in Chicago, Illinois, born to Marian and Fraser Robinson. Her parents were working class people who lived in a one bed room apartment. To provide their daughter with privacy, they converted some of their living room space into Michelle’s bedroom by using a divider. This determined young lady attended public school and graduated from a magnet high school on the south side of the city. She continued her education at Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
Mary Todd Lincoln was born in Lexington, Kentucky, born to Robert and Eliza Todd. Robert was a merchant, a lawyer, and a father of seven children. Mary attended an academy and was later sent to a boarding school where she learned to speak and write French, penmanship, dance and sing. Later she continued her advance studies at Dr. Ward’s Academy which was not customary for a young lady to finish 12 years of study in the 18th century. Mary’s family status was associated with the elite and wealthy during this time period.
Both of the first ladies played active roles in promoting their husband political careers. They work diligently in the forefront of their husband campaigns and maintaining a balance with their family lives.
Mary Lincoln wrote letters to her influential friends regarding Lincoln’s views on slavery, to gain support of his position. As history would show her efforts were beneficial; she often spoke to reporters in the absence of her husband. Like Mary, Michelle Obama also supported her husband’s campaign; she utilized the social networking system of the 20th century in addition to joining her husband on the campaign trail to get his message out to the massive. The role of the first lady has progressed substantially from the first lady support from behind the scenes to, Michelle’s inauguration speech on the world wide stage. Society has clearly become more accepting of the woman’s roles in key positions. The problems they faced in the eighteenth century were the war between the north and south and their belief differences. This still lies true in the twentieth century, the terms simply changed to the Red and blue states. The mission of joining of the forces to create a strong united front has been a common mission of both of the first ladies.
Both women strive to gain freedoms for the American people; Mary worked diligently to push for the freedom of slave’s from a society that discriminated again people because of their social status and skin color. Michelle developed “Let’s Move” this is nationwide quality and affordable fruits and vegetables program which promotes health eating and exercising, freeing children from obesity. It is tradition that the first ladies are engaged in the remodeling of the interior of each room at the White house to reflect their own personal taste of decor. It was stated during Mrs. Lincoln term it was said she over spent the remodeling budget trying to impress the socialites during their time. Mrs. Obama spent 5.7 million on renovations during her term as first lady creating a buzz around Washington D.C. social society.

Fashion has always been a topic of conversation for women in the public view, Mary Lincoln was known as a fashion symbol but was also criticized because she spent money on dresses while the war was going on, and soldier were falling by the thousands. Michelle often announced common off the rack fashion designer she supported. She was quickly criticized for not following the traditional style of fashion of the first ladies. Her youth and freedom of expression has created a fashion which was soon mimic by society.

Mary and Michelle were both thrust into political battles in support of their husbands during different centuries. They differ drastically in their life experiences, from Mary coming from wealthy social family to Michelle who comes from a working class family. Both were very educated women for their centuries. However, since Mary’s century, women roles have become more challenged with new expectations of inclusiveness from every aspect of life. My opinion would be that both Mary Lincoln and Michelle Obama would define the roles of women in today society as progressive. Over the centuries women have been paving the way and fighting for woman rights.