Which first lady is professionally most accomplished

[Anonymous]

Hillary Clinton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hillary Clinton?

Yes, not even a question.

[Anonymous]

Like her or not but H Clinton by a mile

[Anonymous]

I mean HC is CERTAINLY very accomplished but considering the times she was in I would actually say Eleanor Roosevelt.

[Anonymous]

This is kind of an unfair question. Women couldn't even have credit cards in their name before what, the 60s?

Dolly Madison and Abigail Fillmore and Sarah Polk were all pretty influential! But were limited by the world they were in so of course measured toe to toe with HRC they look like they have done nothing.

[Anonymous]

Hillary Clinton!

[Anonymous]

I mean, Hillary Clinton has been a Senator and Secretary of State. And a presidential nominee? It's not even close.

It may be possible that Michelle Obama gave up the highest salary to become first lady, and maybe wins the "most accomplished at the time of becoming first lady"

[Anonymous]

I have to throw Eleanor Roosevelt into this ring. She didn't have a lot of degrees (they were super uncommon for women in 1900) but she was VERY accomplished:

She was a delegate to the UN, was heavily involved in civil rights issues (especially for African Americans), worked in social services at the Settlement House, and during WWII worked with the Red Cross and volunteered at Navy hospitals. Once FDR was stricken with polio, she got even more involved with social and political issues. She was the first first lady to hold her own press conference (and only allowed female reporters to attend!) She served in the UN's General Assembly, was chair of the Human Rights Commission, and so much more. She is really remembered and respected in the field of social work.

[Anonymous]

Melania

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is kind of an unfair question. Women couldn't even have credit cards in their name before what, the 60s?

Dolly Madison and Abigail Fillmore and Sarah Polk were all pretty influential! But were limited by the world they were in so of course measured toe to toe with HRC they look like they have done nothing.

+100

[Anonymous]

Until 1975 women could not get a credit card in their name unless their father or husband co-signed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is kind of an unfair question. Women couldn't even have credit cards in their name before what, the 60s?

Dolly Madison and Abigail Fillmore and Sarah Polk were all pretty influential! But were limited by the world they were in so of course measured toe to toe with HRC they look like they have done nothing.

1975

[Anonymous]

Edith Wilson, baby! First woman (acting-as) US President.

[Anonymous]

What about most accomplished at the time they became FL? Hillary would not have become a Senator in NY without having been FL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Edith Wilson, baby! First woman (acting-as) US President.

Abigail Adams was nicknamed "Mrs. President" because of the level of influence she had on John Adams! She is also considered a founder of our country. She was a persistent and strong advocate for women's rights, including women's right to own property and, apart from her significant political activism, she basically is credited for the Adams' families wealth because she was in charge of their finances and made very good investments that resulted in generational wealth.

This would not put her in par with HRC in today's world but is a shocking level of accomplishment for the late 1700s.