US First Ladies and their initiatives - in pictures

  • Jackie Kennedy made restoring the White House and being a patron of the arts her major initiatives as First Lady. Getty Images
    Jackie Kennedy made restoring the White House and being a patron of the arts her major initiatives as First Lady. Getty Images
  • Michelle Obama plays flag football with children as part of her Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity. Reuters
    Michelle Obama plays flag football with children as part of her Let's Move campaign to fight childhood obesity. Reuters
  • Hillary Clinton speaks at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. AFP
    Hillary Clinton speaks at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. AFP
  • Betty Ford outside the Betty Ford Centre, which treats those struggling with addiction. Getty Images
    Betty Ford outside the Betty Ford Centre, which treats those struggling with addiction. Getty Images
  • Lady Bird Johnson championed many national beautification programmes across the US. Getty Images
    Lady Bird Johnson championed many national beautification programmes across the US. Getty Images
  • Current First Lady Jill Biden has made support for military families her priority in the role. Photo: AFP
    Current First Lady Jill Biden has made support for military families her priority in the role. Photo: AFP
  • Eleanor Roosevelt speaks about women's roles globally at the 1933 World's Fair Women's Day celebration. Getty Images
    Eleanor Roosevelt speaks about women's roles globally at the 1933 World's Fair Women's Day celebration. Getty Images
  • Nancy Reagan pushed a nationwide anti-drugs message with her Just Say No campaign. Getty Images
    Nancy Reagan pushed a nationwide anti-drugs message with her Just Say No campaign. Getty Images
  • Edith Roosevelt was the first in the role to hire her own staff, bringing in a social secretary. Getty Images
    Edith Roosevelt was the first in the role to hire her own staff, bringing in a social secretary. Getty Images
  • Barbara Bush spoke out about the Aids crisis and was a champion for children infected with the virus. AP
    Barbara Bush spoke out about the Aids crisis and was a champion for children infected with the virus. AP
  • Rosalynn Carter testifies before Congress about increasing the funding for mental health programmes. Getty Images
    Rosalynn Carter testifies before Congress about increasing the funding for mental health programmes. Getty Images
  • Laura Bush made women's rights and education around the world her passion project. AFP
    Laura Bush made women's rights and education around the world her passion project. AFP