Following a historic 2016 presidential election, Melania Trump is preparing to become the next first lady of the United States. It's too soon to know what she'll choose to do with her time as FLOTUS, although she has previously expressed interest in using her position to <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2016%2F11%2F03%2Fpolitics%2Fmelania-trump-speech-pennsylvania%2F">advocate against cyberbullying</a>. But as the newest in a long line of first ladies, she'll have some big shoes to fill ...
Following a historic 2016 presidential election, Melania Trump is preparing to become the next first lady of the United States. It's too soon to know what she'll choose to do with her time as FLOTUS, although she has previously expressed interest in using her position to advocate against cyberbullying. But as the newest in a long line of first ladies, she'll have some big shoes to fill ...
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
America's first, first lady: Martha Washington. Martha had the important role of setting a precedent for all future first ladies. She was reluctant to appear in the public spotlight, but one of her most important initiatives was a weekly reception she held on Friday evenings, for everyone from Congressmen to members of the local community.
1789-1797 —
America's first, first lady: Martha Washington. Martha had the important role of setting a precedent for all future first ladies. She was reluctant to appear in the public spotlight, but one of her most important initiatives was a weekly reception she held on Friday evenings, for everyone from Congressmen to members of the local community.
Three Lions/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Edith Wilson played an important role in running the country after her husband Woodrow suffered a stroke that left him semi-paralyzed. She screened all communications to him, which led to some to refer to her as the "secret president."
1915-1921 —
Edith Wilson played an important role in running the country after her husband Woodrow suffered a stroke that left him semi-paralyzed. She screened all communications to him, which led to some to refer to her as the "secret president."
Library of Congress
A<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoliticalticker.blogs.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F15%2Fsurvey-the-best-of-the-first-ladies%2F" target="_blank"> survey of experts by the Siena College Research Institute</a> ranked Eleanor Roosevelt as the best first lady of all time. This was determined from a series of categories -- including integrity, accomplishments and public image. When her husband assumed office, Eleanor transformed the role of first lady and broke precedent often. She held press conferences, gave lectures and openly expressed her opinions in a newspaper column.
1933-1945 —
A survey of experts by the Siena College Research Institute ranked Eleanor Roosevelt as the best first lady of all time. This was determined from a series of categories -- including integrity, accomplishments and public image. When her husband assumed office, Eleanor transformed the role of first lady and broke precedent often. She held press conferences, gave lectures and openly expressed her opinions in a newspaper column.
Wikimedia Commons US National Archives and Records Administration
Jacqueline Kennedy took a particular interest in historic preservation and worked hard to restore the White House to its original state. She established the White House Historical Association and she also passed a law that ensured future White House residents could not dispose of any furnishings.
1961-1963 —
Jacqueline Kennedy took a particular interest in historic preservation and worked hard to restore the White House to its original state. She established the White House Historical Association and she also passed a law that ensured future White House residents could not dispose of any furnishings.
John F. Kennedy Library/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Lady Bird Johnson, wife of Lyndon, focused on preschool children from disadvantaged backgrounds and an environmental program called "beautification." She encouraged people to transform their surroundings into attractive spaces and set up the First Lady's Committee for a More Beautiful Capital. In her earlier years she obtained a bachelor's degree in history and journalism, which is said to have helped her during her interactions with the press.
1963-1969 —
Lady Bird Johnson, wife of Lyndon, focused on preschool children from disadvantaged backgrounds and an environmental program called "beautification." She encouraged people to transform their surroundings into attractive spaces and set up the First Lady's Committee for a More Beautiful Capital. In her earlier years she obtained a bachelor's degree in history and journalism, which is said to have helped her during her interactions with the press.
Hulton Archive/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Rosalynn Carter was one of the most politically active of all American first ladies. Before becoming first lady she was responsible with bookkeeping for Jimmy Carter's family business. During her time as FLOTUS, Rosalynn attended Cabinet meetings and major briefings and even served as the President's personal emissary to Latin American countries.
1977-1981 —
Rosalynn Carter was one of the most politically active of all American first ladies. Before becoming first lady she was responsible with bookkeeping for Jimmy Carter's family business. During her time as FLOTUS, Rosalynn attended Cabinet meetings and major briefings and even served as the President's personal emissary to Latin American countries.
MPI/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Before becoming first lady, Nancy Reagan was a Hollywood actress (as Nancy Davis). When her husband Ronald assumed office, Nancy became known for working to discourage drug and alcohol abuse among young people. She often visited prevention and rehabilitation centers and she held a conference at the White House for the first ladies of 17 countries to also focus their attention on the problem.
1981-1989 —
Before becoming first lady, Nancy Reagan was a Hollywood actress (as Nancy Davis). When her husband Ronald assumed office, Nancy became known for working to discourage drug and alcohol abuse among young people. She often visited prevention and rehabilitation centers and she held a conference at the White House for the first ladies of 17 countries to also focus their attention on the problem.
Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Barbara Bush, wife of George Senior, was involved in many charitable and humanitarian efforts during her time as first lady. Her causes including tackling homelessness, AIDS, and helping the elderly. She also campaigned and raised funds to improve literacy, which was motivated by her son Neil's dyslexia.
1989-1993 —
Barbara Bush, wife of George Senior, was involved in many charitable and humanitarian efforts during her time as first lady. Her causes including tackling homelessness, AIDS, and helping the elderly. She also campaigned and raised funds to improve literacy, which was motivated by her son Neil's dyslexia.
JENNIFER K. LAW/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Before husband Bill assumed office, Hillary Clinton worked as a lawyer and developed a strong interest in family law and issues affecting children. As first lady she remained an advocate for children and campaigned for women's rights. She also chaired the Task Force on National Health Care Reform, where she testified before Congress and helped craft legislation.
1993-2001 —
Before husband Bill assumed office, Hillary Clinton worked as a lawyer and developed a strong interest in family law and issues affecting children. As first lady she remained an advocate for children and campaigned for women's rights. She also chaired the Task Force on National Health Care Reform, where she testified before Congress and helped craft legislation.
JAMAL A. WILSON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Michelle Obama played a significant role in helping her husband's election campaign. During her time as first lady she was involved in various causes, including providing support to military families and promoting healthy eating to fight childhood obesity. Prior to becoming first lady, Michelle was the executive director of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago.
2009- —
Michelle Obama played a significant role in helping her husband's election campaign. During her time as first lady she was involved in various causes, including providing support to military families and promoting healthy eating to fight childhood obesity. Prior to becoming first lady, Michelle was the executive director of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/AFP/Getty Images