Letters received by First Ladies

Discussion in 'Politics' started by Fraggle Rocker, May 7, 2008.

  1. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

    Messages:
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    From the archives of the White House, as reported in the Washington Post on April 27:

    Received by Herbert Hoover's wife, Lou Hoover, after she entertained an African-American lady in the White House (1929)

    Mrs. H. Hoover
    Washington D.C.

    You remember that Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas gave Mr. Hoover a large majority last fall. Well "We" thought we were putting a "real" "White Lady" in the White House. Didn't even dream that you would disgrace the White House by associating with Negroes.

    --The Women's League of Miami


    Received by Bill Clinton's wife, Hillary Clinton (1998)

    Dear Hillary:

    I saw you on C-Span this morning addressing the student body at Georgetown U. Your presentation on behalf of children was brilliant and moving.

    Your ability at the podium is awesome. The applause and standing ovation let you know how much they appreciated your presentation. You had that audience in the palm of your hand.

    I have no idea what your plans are after you leave the White House but of this I am certain--you can do anything you want--nothing is beyond your reach. Keep me posted.

    --Eppie (Eppie Lederer, better know as Ann Landers, the advice columnist)


    Received by Franklin Delano Roosevelt's wife, Eleanor Roosevelt (1942)

    Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt
    The White House
    Washington D.C.

    My dear Mrs. Roosevelt:

    I am writing to you as one American woman to aother about the plight of the Japanese-Americans in the Western part of our country. I do not doubt that you are receiving, as I am, many letters from Americans, not Japanese, protesting against the inhuman and cruel treatment of the Japanese-Americans. It is not only what is being done to the Japanese but it is the effect upon our people that is so evil.

    I want to do anything I can but I write to ask your advice as to what can be done. It seems to me that the way that these people are being treated is so much more German than it is American.

    I enclose copies of some of the letters which I have received within the last few days.

    Very sincerely yours,
    --Pearl S. Buck (author of The Good Earth, specialist on the Orient)


    Received by George H. W. Bush's wife, Barbara Bush (1990)

    Mrs. Barbara Bush
    The First Lady
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
    Washington, D.C.

    Dear First Lady:

    I recently read your criticism of my family. I was deeply hurt. Heaven knows we're far from perfect and, if the truth be known, maybe just a wee bit short of normal; but as Dr. Seuss says, "a person is a person."

    I try to teach my children Bart, Lisa, and even little Maggie, always to give somebody the benefit of the doubt and not talk badly about them, even if they're rich. It's hard to get them to understand this advice when the very First Lady in the country calls us not only dumb, but "the dumbest thing" she ever saw. Ma'am, if we're the dumbest thing you ever saw, Washington must be a good deal different than what they teach me at the current events group at the church.

    I always believed in my heart that we had a great deal in common. Each of us living our lives to serve an exceptional man. I hope there is some way out of this controversy. I thought, perhaps, it would be a good start to speak my mind.

    With great respect,
    --Marge Simpson (matriarch of "The Simpsons," an animated comedy and the longest-running comedy on American TV of all time)
     

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