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FLARE's First National Conference

FLARE's first national conference "First Lady Betty Ford: 50th Anniversary Celebration" co-sponsored by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, American University School of Public Affairs, and the National Archives was preceded by an inspiring luncheon hosted by Susan Ford Bales featuring First Lady Jill Biden as the keynote speaker on the Bidens' Women's Health Initiative. FLARE co-sponsored the luncheon with the Foundation and American University's School of Public Affairs.

FLARE's First National Conference
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FLARE Announcements all announcements

FLARE congratulates Senator Elizabeth Hanford Dole on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

FLARE congratulates Senator Elizabeth Hanford Dole on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

FLARE congratulates Senator Elizabeth Hanford Dole on being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 3, 2024. Senator Dole was the subject of the April 20, 2024 FLARE program titled "Elizabeth Dole: A Pioneering 'Also Ran' for Second and First Lady."

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Meet the American who never flinched in the fight for independence, Abigail Adams
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Our Mission
The mission of FLARE is to create and sustain a network to promote and publicize research and education relevant to the contributions, lives, impacts, and lasting legacies of U.S. First Ladies.
 
Our Vision
FLARE will be the primary association to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach among scholars, institutions, First Ladies’ staff, biographers, archivists, journalists, and public historians interested in research and education about the lasting legacy of U.S. First Ladies.

 

FLARE Focus more information

FLARE Focus on When The First Lady is an Educator, A Lesson Comes Dressed in Inaugural Clothing

Nichola D. Gutgold

One of the most popular exhibits at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is the First Ladies Exhibit. With over 1,000 items in the collection, the Smithsonian documents the lives and legacies of the women who have served in this invaluable role.[i] It was an honor to attend the ceremony of the presentation of the inaugural clothing of First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, which she wore in January 2021 to President Biden’s swearing-in and other celebratory events to mark the occasion..

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Upcoming Events view all events

 May 2024 
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Wed
15
2024
May 15, 2024

First Ladies and Commencement Addresses

Watch for details!

Virtual Program

First Ladies Birthdays view all events

Sat
4
2024
May 4, 2024

Julia Gardiner Tyler

May 4, 1820

Some biographies list July 29, 1820 as her birth date.

Wed
15
2024
May 15, 2024

Ellen Axson Wilson

May 15, 1860

Mon
20
2024
May 20, 2024

Dolley Payne Todd Madison

May 20, 1768

 

* indicates Inaugural Lifetime Individual Member

 

*Kristin Ahlberg

*Mary R. Anderson

*Thomas J. Balcerski

*Maurine Beasley

*Allida Black

*Pamela G. Bourland-Davis

 

*Mary C. Brennan

*Christopher Brick

*Paulette Brinka

*Mary Balfour Calvert

*Stacy Cordery

*Erika N. Cornelius Smith

 

*Susan Donius

*East Wing Magazine

Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum

*Sharon Fawcett

*Lewis L. Gould

*Nichola Gutgold

 

*Laura Gutin

*Linda B. Hobgood

*Edwina and Tom Johnson (Atlanta)

*Kay Sebring-Roberts Kuhlmann

*Christopher J. Leahy

*Heath Hardage Lee

 

*Anne F. Mattina

*Lisa Hill McCubbin

*Nick Natalle

*Valerie Palmer-Mehta

*Barbara Perry

*G. Joseph Pierron

 

*Maria Protti

*Lindsay B. Reynolds

*Rebecca Boggs Roberts

*Mary Stockwell

*Larry and Louann Temple

*Elizabeth Lorelei Thacker-Estrada

 

*Courtney C. Travers

*Tammy R. Vigil

*Sharon Williams Leahy

*Jeanne Ryan Wolfson

*Nancy Beck Young

*Kay Zerwick