To every married man of the cloth that’s in high office of a bishop, pastor, or apostle, that has a church building or a place of worship, the title of First Lady automatically becomes a part of her life, whether they have the right spirit or not. When you search the word First Lady, you will find that the only definition is the wife of the president of the United States. In most denominations, pastor’s wives are First Ladies in the church world. It sounds distinguished and looks glamorous, but all it means is you are the wife of a leader of an organization. Being a married couple, you are one, so that means his load becomes your load and his hurts becomes your hurt and so on. Being in ministry and being the wife of a pastor is a very serious position in the body of Christ; you must be supportive in every way, working diligently for the kingdom of God. I’ve seen, met, and fellowshipped with many of them and came to the realization that the characteristics of a First Lady (wife of a pastor) must be spiritual. Some First Ladies sit like trophies on a shelf, looking beautiful, shinning like a diamond, but as she began to sit and look like a queen, without the love and spirit of God living on the inside of her heart, dust will begin to land on the surface of her heart clogging up her ears, blinding up her eyes, and showing fourth what the Bible calls the spirit of darkness. As you begin to read and meditate on the spirit of a First Lady, you will see how having the spirit of God living inside you makes the difference in dealing with people who the word of God call souls weather there in or out of the church. You will also see that underneath that exquisite hat is a radiant smile, a heart full of praise, and a never-ending blessing.

A look inside the personal life of every first lady in American history, based on original interviews with major historians C-SPAN’s yearlong history series, First Ladies: Influence and Image, featured interviews with more than fifty preeminent historians and biographers. In this informative book, these experts paint intimate portraits of all forty-five first ladies—their lives, ambitions, and unique partnerships with their presidential spouses. Susan Swain and the C-SPAN team elicit the details that made these women who they were: how Martha Washington intentionally set the standards followed by first ladies for the next century; how Edith Wilson was complicit in the cover-up when President Wilson became incapacitated after a stroke; and how Mamie Eisenhower used the new medium of television to reinforce her, and her husband’s, positive public images. This book provides an up-close historical look at these fascinating women who survived the scrutiny of the White House, sometimes at great personal cost, while supporting their families and famous husbands—and sometimes changing history. Complete with illustrations and essential biographical details, it is an illuminating, entertaining, and ultimately inspiring read.

No home in America celebrates Christmas quite like the White House. Whether adorned with hand-made ornaments or thoughtful crafts, the White House has warmly welcomed celebrities, dignitaries, and hardworking Americans and epitomized the Christmas spirit. And behind each holiday celebration is a First Lady who lends her own style and grace to the festivities. Christmas With the First Ladies is a look at the holiday magic that happens at the White House, capturing the Christmas decorating history and techniques from Jackie Kennedy through Michelle Obama. Each first lady’s design aesthetic is profiled, such as Lady Bird Johnson’s themes of home and family to help heal the nation after John F. Kennedy’s death; Nancy Reagan’s interest in renewing a child-like sense of wonder; and Laura Bush’s “Red, White, and Blue “ Christmas for a nation banding together. With anecdotes and intimate photos of the presidential families during the holiday season, as well as personal craft and recipes used by the first ladies, Christmas With the First Ladies is the perfect centerpiece for holiday gatherings!

Charlene Wilson, First Lady of First Jamaica Ministries, has lived a good life with her beloved Bishop T.K. Wilson and their two beautiful children. But now that the Lord has seen fit to call her home, someone needs to take care of her man. . . That's why Charlene has planned to hang around in spirit--to make sure T.K. ends up with the right woman. First in line is Marlene, the mother of T.K.'s illegitimate daughter. Then there's Monique Johnson, the unapologetic First Lady of Plastic Surgery and Implants. Next is Savannah Dickens, the church's attractive new choir soloist. And last but not least is Charlene's good friend Sister Lisa Mae Johnson, widow of Pastor Lee Jones. With the help of her friend Alison, Charlene prepares a series of letters addressed to the lucky ladies. No one else knows about the letters, but rest assured, they will shake up a whole lot of people. Charlene may soon be gone, but her presence will be felt. . . "Weber's novels are always sizzlers. . ." --The Cincinnati Enquirer "A front-row pew seat to all the action going down. . ." --Essence®

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Presidents and The Kennedy Detail comes an “insightful and beautifully told look into the life of one of the most public and admired first ladies” (Publishers Weekly)—Betty Ford. Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer is the inspiring story of an ordinary Midwestern girl thrust onto the world stage and into the White House under extraordinary circumstances. Setting a precedent as First Lady, Betty Ford refused to be silenced by her critics as she publicly championed equal rights for women, and spoke out about issues that had previously been taboo—breast cancer, depression, abortion, and sexuality. Privately, there were signs something was wrong. After a painful intervention by her family, she admitted to an addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. Her courageous decision to speak out publicly sparked a national dialogue, and in 1982, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center, which revolutionized treatment for alcoholism and inspired the modern concept of recovery. Lisa McCubbin also brings to light Gerald and Betty Ford’s sweeping love story: from Michigan to the White House, until their dying days, their relationship was that of a man and woman utterly devoted to one another other—a relationship built on trust, respect, and an unquantifiable chemistry. Based on intimate interviews with her children, Susan Ford Bales and Steven Ford, as well as family, friends, and colleagues, Betty Ford is “a vivid picture of a singularly influential woman” (Bookpage).

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD NOMINEE • The riveting history of how Pauli Murray—a brilliant writer-turned-activist—and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt forged an enduring friendship that helped to alter the course of race and racism in America. “A definitive biography of Murray, a trailblazing legal scholar and a tremendous influence on Mrs. Roosevelt.” —Essence In 1938, the twenty-eight-year-old Pauli Murray wrote a letter to the President and First Lady, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, protesting racial segregation in the South. Eleanor wrote back. So began a friendship that would last for a quarter of a century, as Pauli became a lawyer, principal strategist in the fight to protect Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and a co-founder of the National Organization of Women, and Eleanor became a diplomat and first chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

She was the niece of America's Bachelor President and his official hostess in Lancaster, London and Washington. Anyone who met her was instantly enamored. Queen Victoria bestowed upon her the title "Honorary Ambassadress." The Washington press corps proclaimed her "Our Democratic Queen." She was the first White House Hostess to be called "First Lady." Ships were named after her. Songs were written about her. Women dressed like her. She was the most admired woman in the country and established a style of entertaining never before seen in the White House. And only she could get away with beating the Prince of Wales at bowling! Her life was marked by tragedy, yet she lived every day to the fullest. Her legacy lives on in Baltimore and Washington through a pediatric hospital, a school for boys, a museum of art, and a monument to James Buchanan. Thanks to her beauty, charm, and generosity of spirit, America's First Lady will always be Harriet Lane.