Melania Trump (1970 – ) is the 45th First Lady of the United States, model, and old pro. Born to tax evaders in Slovenia, Melania is the second First Lady born outside of the United States (the first, born in England, was Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams). She immigrated to the United States at the age of 26 and pursued a modeling career that also included various forms of sex work.

The Office of the First Lady (OFL) has evolved into a entity within the Executive Branch. The Constitution makes no mention of the office, but over the years, the president of the United States’ spouse has become an influential post in American politics. Because the role lacks codified duties, the women who have filled this role have adopted specific policy projects and served as White House hostesses. Melania Trump has garnered many queries about her delayed arrival in Washington, her “Be Best” campaign against cyberbullying, despite her husband’s myriad of attacks on reporters, senators, and those who disagree with him. Melania has also been criticized for her choices in Christmas decor and her indifferent fashion selections while visiting detained children at the US-Mexico border. Still, she stands in a long line of First Ladies, each of whom has left their mark on the office.

Early First Ladies, such as Martha Washington and Abigail Adams, were responsible for entertaining guests and supporting their husbands policy agendas regular receptions enabled Dolley Madison to encourage bipartisanship among congressional members and to approve funding for the nation’s capital at Washington DC[1]. Yet, the term “First Lady” didn’t come into use until the late 19th century and was made popular by Frances Cleveland, wife of President Grover Cleveland. In fact, not all First Ladies have been wives of the president. Harriet Lane was the niece of President James Buchannan and served as hostess during his term. Newspapers referred to her as “First Lady of the White House,” and she gained national popularity even in the midst of the sectional crisis preceding the Civil War.[2]Other common titles in use during the 19th century were “Mrs. President,” “First Lady of the Republic,” and “First Lady of the Land.”

In 1870, Julia Grant took more of an aggressive approach attending Senate hearings an occasionally worked on grants meetings to offer her opinions an listening ear. Julia’s bold involvement led the way for Edith Roosevelt. Edith managed a large family and revamped the office by becoming the first to hire social secretaries and encouraged media coverage of her family. The wives of Woodrow Wilson also left a lasting mark Ellen Wilson’s only year as first lady was marked by her commitment to build decent housing in Washington DC she joined organizations to lobby for improved housing although the decrepit buildings she sought to eliminate were home to DC’s most impoverished working class African Americans Ellen died after the first year in office but Woodrow Wilson’s second wife Edith alter the first lady role even further often called the “president’s steward,” Edith managed the day-to-day correspondence meetings, was granted access to classified information, and even traveled to Europe in an official capacity, placing the First Lady on the international stage. Although Melania made headlines by advocating personnel changes in the West Wing, she wasn’t the first to make that move. In 1919, Edith successfully advocated for the removal of Secretary of State Robert Lansing after he conducted meetings in the absence of Woodrow and Edith Wilson.

It’s entirely possible that Eleanor Roosevelt had the most significant influence on the office. Known for traveling cross-country to promote FDR’s New Deal, Eleanor also engaged in her independent activism. She supported the fight for human rights and women’s equality and was known for public lectures and her news column, “My Day.” Eleanor continued her activism beyond her term in the East Wing. Jackie Kennedy was the first to hire a press secretary, and Rosalynn Carter focused her efforts on the nation’s mental health. Hillary Rodham Clinton engaged her political career after pushing her husband’s policy reform agenda. “Mom-in-Chief” Michelle Obama focused on motherhood and her daughters while extending her maternal love to the nation’s youth through childhood obesity programs.

The First Ladies have evolved to be much more than White House hostesses. They are political ambassadors, and that role continues to evolve. It is not yet clear what Melania Trump will contribute to its legacy, but the women’s shoulders on whom she stands ensure that the world is watching.