Mamie Doud Eisenhower
Mamie Eisenhower is not remembered as a particularly influential First Lady for several reasons. She replaced the still vocal (at the time) Eleanor Roosevelt in the public mind as the leading political woman in the nation (Bess Truman being considered a non-entity by most, including herself). She was followed in the office by the glamorous Jackie Kennedy. What is forgotten is the prestige and glamor which Mamie restored to the First Lady’s position after several years of the silent and withdrawn Bess.
Yes, glamor. Mamie was named one of the best dressed women in the United States each of the eight years of Eisenhower’s administration. She was fond of pink, and her predilection for the color initiated a national trend for items which shared the shade, including household items such as towels and decorations. The “Mamie look” became a major fashion trend, and in the fifties the nation which had long suffered from the deprivation of depression and wartime rationing was in the mood to spend. Several leading designers linked themselves to her.
During the Eisenhower Administration more foreign leaders and other dignitaries visited the White House than in any preceding presidency, and Mamie imbued the Office of the First Lady with dignity and poise when receiving them. The advent of routine air travel made face to face meetings between the President and corresponding world leaders more convenient and far more common, the budding television industry made them better documented.
Mamie also set an example of frugality for young housewives, inspired no doubt by her long marriage to a military careerist, when she was required to run a home on a tight budget. She was well known for using coupons and sales notices, cutting out the former for the use of the White House staff, both personally and for use stocking the White House pantries.
While not overtly active in political discussions, Mamie made sure her opinions were known. She disapproved of and personally disliked Senator Joseph McCarthy and refused to invite him to White House functions. She strongly supported Republican Ellen Harris in her campaign for election to Congress. And she personally supervised the care for her husband when his health became an issue during his administration.