Recent First Ladies have taken up specific causes (cyberbullying for Melania Trump, childhood obesity for Michelle Obama, education for Laura Bush, etc.). How far back in time can we trace this practice?
Also, have First Ladies always been influential politically, or has the position been shaped by women like Edith Wilson and Eleanor Roosevelt? Was there ever a pushback in response to particularly powerful/influential First Ladies?
While I am sure there is more to be said, check out this post. reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7fjf95/were_first_ladies_prominent_public_figures_from/ Credit to user: u/bobboboran. Edited.