Modern-day pressures for supermodel beauty, high-powered careers, and perfect families place a spotlight on a woman's achievements instead of her worth. This book, using stories from numerous First Ladies, shows how they triumphed while experiencing intense pressure. By using their stores, along with a Hebrew Proverb and biblical principles, Jane Cook explains that God is the true source of value and worth.

Meet the First Ladies of the United States—sometimes inspiring, sometimes tragic, always fascinating—women who, though often unsung, helped hold the nation together in its infancy and advance it as a world power. More than simply serving as America's "hostesses," many of the nation's First Ladies played vital roles in shaping their husband's presidency and serving as political activists in their own right. From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama, their inspiring stories come alive in this handsomely illustrated encyclopedia. Within its pages, the First Ladies are revealed as human beings who, one day, awoke to find the eyes of the world upon them. The book differs from others by showcasing America's First Ladies in their own words, as flesh-and-blood individuals. Readers will discover which First Lady held off Napoleon's army with a toy sword, why women had to be "pale, frail, and ailing," and which First Lady was called "Sunshine" and which was "Hellcat." Each entry includes a biographical essay that details the life of the woman and places her within the political, social, and cultural context of her time. Each also offers a related primary document that helps define the First Lady's legacy as well as a short bibliography for further information. Written in a lively, compelling style, this highly readable volume is perfect for junior high, high school, and college students as well as the general public.

The female vocalists who pioneered the disco genre in the '70s and early '80s were an extraordinarily talented group who dazzled the world with an exciting blend of elegance, soulful passion and gutsy fire. In this book of original interviews, 32 of these women tell their stories, explaining how they view their music, careers, connection to gay audiences, and their places in dance music history. Interviewed artists include: The Andrea True Connection; Claudja Barry; Pattie Brooks; Miquel Brown; Linda Clifford; Carol Douglas; Yvonne Elliman; Rochelle Fleming (First Choice); Gloria Gaynor; Debbie Jacobs-Rock; Madleen Kane; Evelyn "Champagne" King; Audrey Landers; Suzi Lane; Cynthia Manley (Boys Town Gang); Kelly Marie; Maxine Nightingale; Scherrie Payne; Wardell Piper; The Ritchie Family, 1975-1978: Gwendolyn Wesley, Cassandra Wooten and Cheryl Mason-Dorman; The Ritchie Family, 1978-1982: Theodosia "Dodie" Draher; Barbara Roy (Ecstasy Passion & Pain); Pamala Stanley; Evelyn Thomas; Jeanie Tracy; Anita Ward; Martha Wash; Carol Williams; Jessica Williams and Norma Jean Wright.

Here are the personal philosophies, opinions, thoughts, witticisms, and feelings of such upstanding and quintessential Americans as Abigail Adams, Dolly Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Clinton. These women have been more than just wives of American Presidents. Their roles have included everything from negotiating with heads of state to redecorating the White House, from debating political issues to acting as advisors, confidantes, and diplomats. Through statements made during press interviews and in speeches and in writing, these women put into words what might otherwise have remained private: Abigail Adams proves herself to be a pioneer feminist; Eleanor Roosevelt defines life's ultimate success; Lady Bird Johnson recounts a soul-enriching boat ride; and much more. What they have to say about marriage, child-rearing, success, happiness, beauty in the world, education, careers for women, women in politics, relationships, growing old, love, and living life to the fullest is powerful and profound. The pronouncements, pet peeves, gibes, and joys revealed in America's First Ladies add texture to the more secretive administrations, and color to the sterner and more stoic ones.

Michelle knows that being the First Lady of Mount Zion Baptist Church is an important and much-coveted position, so she always gives thanks for a dutiful husband and a prosperous life. But she also prays for Darvin to spend more time with her, talking about something other than Mount Zion's affairs. Michelle's faith is further put to the test when the seductive vixen Daphne Carlton arrives on the steps of their church, determined to make Michelle's life a living hell so that she can get rid of Michelle and assume her role as the First Lady. With Michelle representing the reputation of her husband and church, she feels the burden to respond in a prim and proper manner; but she knows that in real life, such behavior might not be enough to defeat an enemy once and for all. How far is the First Lady willing to go in order to stop Daphne?

American Catholic women rarely surface as protagonists in histories of the United States. Offering a new perspective, Kathleen Sprows Cummings places Catholic women at the forefront of two defining developments of the Progressive Era: the emergence of the "New Woman" and Catholics' struggle to define their place in American culture. Cummings highlights four women: Chicago-based journalist Margaret Buchanan Sullivan; Sister Julia McGroarty, SND, founder of Trinity College in Washington, D.C., one of the first Catholic women's colleges; Philadelphia educator Sister Assisium McEvoy, SSJ; and Katherine Eleanor Conway, a Boston editor, public figure, and antisuffragist. Cummings uses each woman's story to explore how debates over Catholic identity were intertwined with the renegotiation of American gender roles.

An historical survey of the impact of individual First Ladies' impact on America and the American woman. A selection of each woman's own writings is given along with a commentary on her influence, and a biography of her life, and the narrative covers all the presidents' wives from Martha Washington to Hillary Rodham Clinton.