July 2021

Tuesday
6
2021
July 6, 2021

Inaugural Gould Award Announcement

Lewis L. Gould, the Eugene Barker Centennial Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Texas-Austin, has been named the inaugural recipient of an award that recognizes distinguished contributions to research and education about America’s first ladies.

Tuesday
20
2021
July 20, 2021
5:00PM - 6:00PM

Members' Only Social Hour (Eastern Time)

Zoom Meeting

Thursday
29
2021
July 29, 2021
4:00PM - 5:00PM

Tom Johnson and Nancy Kegan Smith In A Conversation About Lady Bird Johnson

Zoom Meeting

FLARE Announces Tom Johnson former CNN President and former chair of the LBJ Foundation Board will present FLARE's first public program on July 29, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Mr. Johnson will be interviewed by FLARE Vice President Nancy Kegan Smith about his years working with Lady Bird Johnson. The event is open to the public; registration required.

September 2021

Monday
13
2021
September 13, 2021
5:00PM - 6:00PM

Members' Only Social Hour (Eastern Time)

Zoom Meeting

Friday
24
2021
September 24, 2021
4:00PM - 5:00PM

Live Conversation with Julia Sweig and Karen Tumulty

Library of Congress National Book Festival

Julia Sweig, author of “Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight External” (Random House), and Karen Tumulty, author of “The Triumph of Nancy Reagan External” (Simon & Schuster), discuss their new books with Colleen Shogan, a senior vice president and the director of the David Rubenstein Center for White House History at the White House Historical Association.

Monday
27
2021
September 27, 2021
5:30PM - 6:30PM

FLARE - Special Event ... In Her Own Words

YouTube Livestream Event at 5:30 pm EDT

https://youtu.be/qI1dM5olp3g

October 2021

Wednesday
20
2021
October 20, 2021
5:30PM - 6:30PM

Accidental Leaders: Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan Speak Out on Breast Cancer

Join us on Wednesday, October 20 at 5:30pm EDT

FLARE YouTube: https://youtu.be/iZdBtSjQrg0

Tuesday
26
2021
October 26, 2021
1:00PM - 2:00PM

Past, Present, Future: The Twists and Turns of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Quest to Put Equality in the Constitution

Presented by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Virtual Presentation (timed for students)

Tuesday
26
2021
October 26, 2021
7:00PM - 8:00PM

Past, Present, Future: The Twists and Turns of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Quest to Put Equality in the Constitution

Presented by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Virtual Presentation

November 2021

Friday
5
2021
November 5, 2021
1:30PM - 2:30PM

Virtual Author Visit with Gigi McBride

Who: K-4 students, teachers, parents, and book lovers!

Virtual Presentation on Friday, November 5th, 2021 @ 1:30 pm EST

Monday
22
2021
November 22, 2021
5:30PM - 6:30PM

Abigail Adams and the “Reigns of Government”

Link: https://youtu.be/gT9GdlK1zSo

December 2021

Thursday
9
2021
December 9, 2021
5:30PM - 6:30PM

Eleanor Roosevelt: Transformational First Lady and Lead

YouTube Livestream Event https://youtu.be/VMxko7jwAG0

January 2022

Thursday
13
2022
January 13, 2022
5:30PM - 6:30PM

Members' Only Social Hour (Eastern Time)

Zoom Meeting

February 2022

Tuesday
1
2022
February 1, 2022
5:00PM - 6:00PM

Jacqueline Kennedy at Home and Abroad

https://youtu.be/zJL16j-23hw

March 2022

Monday
14
2022
March 14, 2022
6:00PM - 7:00PM

Members' Only Social Hour (Eastern Time)

Zoom Meeting

Thursday
17
2022
March 17, 2022
5:30PM - 6:30PM

White House Historical Association History Happy Hour

Featuring Four FLARE members.

Zoom Meeting

Thursday
24
2022
March 24, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM

Designing Camelot

With Authors James Archer Abbott and Elaine Rice Bachmann

Virtual Presentation

Wednesday
30
2022
March 30, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM

Edith Wilson Program ... 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Click for details!

Live Stream: https://youtu.be/Q2QbWsAYtYc

April 2022

Thursday
14
2022
April 14, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM

SHE DID ALL THAT - Betty Ford: Speaking Out, Saving Lives

A conversation with playwright, director, and producer Lisa Rafferty

Virtual Presentation - https://youtu.be/H06s0RwikoM

Friday
22
2022
April 22, 2022

SHE DID ALL THAT - Betty Ford: Speaking Out, Saving Lives

Live performance of the play ... contact Clare Shubert: cshubert@38foundation.org.

Saturday
23
2022
April 23, 2022
2:45PM - 3:45PM

First Ladies' Speeches

On C-SPAN 2

What's the impact of a first lady's words? Scholars consider the speeches of Barbara Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

Sunday
24
2022
April 24, 2022
2:45PM - 3:45PM

First Ladies' Speeches

On C-SPAN 2

What's the impact of a first lady's words? Scholars consider the speeches of Barbara Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

May 2022

Tuesday
10
2022
May 10, 2022
4:00PM - 5:00PM

White House Historical Association's "White House History Live" ... Women and the Nixon White House.

Virtual Event

Join FLARE members Anita McBride and Heath Lee on May 10 at 4:00 pm ET On the White House Historical Association's "White House History Live" to hear about Women and the Nixon White House.

Thursday
26
2022
May 26, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM

FLARE Program on Pat Nixon

Virtual Event ... https://youtu.be/CRnC9ijaEoE

Pat Nixon: Unheralded First Lady The far-reaching achievements of Pat Nixon, First Lady from 1969-1974 are too often overshadowed by the drama of her husband’s White House.

Tuesday
31
2022
May 31, 2022

Gould Award 2022 Nomination Deadline

FLARE members are invited to nominate a member of the organization for the 2022 Lewis L. Gould Award.

June 2022

Thursday
2
2022
June 2, 2022

NATIONAL FIRST LADIES DAY

National First Ladies Day on June 2nd commemorates the very first First Lady of the United States and all those who followed in her footsteps.

Saturday
4
2022
June 4, 2022
2:00PM - 3:00PM

First Ladies' Speeches ... Edith Wilson

On C-SPAN 2

Monday
20
2022
June 20, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM

FLARE Social Hour: It's Time to Celebrate: FLARE's One Year Anniversary

On June 20th at 7:00 PM eastern time FLARE will hold a social hour to celebrate our organization's one year anniversary. FLARE President Myra Gutin will open by recapping some of FLARE's highlights in the last year and then open the floor to input from members as to how FLARE has helped them and suggestions for the next year. Pour some champagne and let's toast a successful inaugural year!

Tuesday
21
2022
June 21, 2022

FLARE One-Year Anniversary!

August 2022

Saturday
13
2022
August 13, 2022
2:00PM - 3:00PM

Pat Nixon Reconsidered - on The Presidency

https://youtu.be/OvcVr5vqP3Q

How does Pat Nixon compare to other first ladies? The First Ladies Association for Research & Education convened scholars to address that question. Among their topics: the former first lady's media image, her "person-to-person" diplomacy and her work to get more women into government roles and onto the Supreme Court.

Tuesday
16
2022
August 16, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

First Ladies and War. - 7 pm Eastern Time

https://youtu.be/4yz7-tySLgk

Monday
22
2022
August 22, 2022
11:00AM - 12:00PM EDT

Gould Award Announcement - 11 am Eastern Time

Virtual Presentation: https://youtu.be/Ugem8ZqUtg4

Wednesday
24
2022
August 24, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

Members only social hour - 7 pm, Eastern Time

Virtual Presentation - Watch for additional details!

September 2022

Monday
19
2022
September 19, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

Members only social hour - 7 pm, Eastern Time

Virtual Presentation - check your email for details!

October 2022

Tuesday
11
2022
October 11, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

Becoming Bess, Mamie, and Hillary: Actress Kay Kuhlmann discusses her writing and performances of one-woman shows

Virtual Presentation - https://youtu.be/BUpe9Uybo9Y

Thursday
13
2022
October 13, 2022
5:30PM - 6:30PM EDT

Pat and Dick Nixon: WWII Love Letters Revealed

Join us for History Happy Hour this Thursday at 5:30 pm to hear author Heath Hardage Lee share insights about the letters between Richard and Pat Nixon that chronicle the early years of their marriage

Saturday
15
2022
October 15, 2022

The Edith Bolling Wilson 150th Birthday Celebration “Dinner Wythe Edith”

Bolling Wilson Hotel in Wytheville, VA.

Sunday
16
2022
October 16, 2022
6:00PM - 9:00PM EDT

The Edith Bolling Wilson 150th Birthday Celebration “Dinner Wythe Edith”

Bolling Wilson Hotel in Wytheville, VA.

November 2022

Monday
7
2022
November 7, 2022
7:00PM - 8:00PM EST

Rosalynn Carter: Jimmy's Secret Weapon

Virtual Presentation - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXkvgITIbbdhVOVlVHoXpTg/streams

January 2023

Wednesday
11
2023
January 11, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM

FLARE Social Hour

Happy New Year to all of our FLARE members. Please join us for our first social hour of the year on January 11, 2023, at 7 pm Eastern time. We will update you on new board members, and upcoming programs as well as other announcements and website features. This is your time to share what you are currently working on and let us know what you want to see FLARE do in the new year.

Tuesday
24
2023
January 24, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM

“The First Rose of Texas Was the ‘Rose of Long Island’”

Join FLARE on January 24 for our program at 7 pm ET

To view, please click on the YouTube or Facebook links in the bottom left of the FLARE website https://flare-net.org or go directly to FLARE's YouTube Channel or Facebook page.

Julia Gardiner Tyler became the first of America’s first ladies to marry a sitting president when she “eloped” with John Tyler on June 26, 1844. She quickly became politicized as newspaper articles and wickedly satirical caricatures shamelessly linked their marriage to Tyler’s pursuit of the annexation of Texas—his chief policy goal as a president without a party. Annexation became the signature issue of the 1844 presidential election campaign, a campaign that metaphorically gave the administration’s attempt to add Texas to the union a feminine face—Julia’s—and one that dramatically increased sectional tensions over the expansion of slavery.

February 2023

Wednesday
1
2023
February 1, 2023
7:00PM - 8:15PM EDT

Evolution of the Modern First Lady – How We Got from Lady Washington to Dr. Biden

This program is presented in partnership with FLARE as well as KU’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Political Science departments.

Thursday
9
2023
February 9, 2023
7:00PM - 8:15PM EDT

First Ladies and Power – Influential First Ladies You Might Not Know Much About

This program is presented in partnership with FLARE as well as KU’s department of Communications and School of Journalism.

Tuesday
28
2023
February 28, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

First Ladies and Slavery

This presentation done in conjunction with FLARE’s institutional member the White House Historical Association, WHHA

Please join FLARE for our February 28 program in honor of Black History month at 7:00 pm eastern time. "First Ladies and Slavery” is a presentation done in conjunction with FLARE’s institutional member the White House Historical Association, WHHA. The program is introduced by Stewart McLaurin, President of the WHHA, with an explanation of their project “Slavery in the President’s Neighborhood”. WHHA Historian Sarah Fling will then do a presentation describing the relationship between first ladies and slavery, part of one-third of the first ladies' identities and lifestyles.

March 2023

Thursday
9
2023
March 9, 2023
7:00PM - 8:15PM EDT

First Ladies, Women’s Rights and Suffrage

This program is presented in partnership with FLARE as well as KU’s History and American Studies departments.

Wednesday
15
2023
March 15, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM

FLARE Social Hour

Watch your email for details!

Thursday
23
2023
March 23, 2023
7:00PM - 8:15PM EDT

First Ladies, the ERA and Beyond

This program is presented in partnership with FLARE and and the Dole Institute of Politics..

April 2023

Wednesday
26
2023
April 26, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

The Evolution of the First Lady from Lady Washington to Dr. Biden

May 2023

Wednesday
31
2023
May 31, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

Three First Ladies and White House Restoration

July 2023

Wednesday
26
2023
July 26, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM

FLARE Social Hour: It's Time to Celebrate: FLARE's Second Year Anniversary

On July 26th at 7:00 PM eastern time FLARE will hold a social hour to celebrate - just a little delayed - our organization's second year anniversary. FLARE President Myra Gutin will open by recapping some of FLARE's highlights in the last year and then open the floor to input from members as to how FLARE has helped them and suggestions for the upcoming year.

Pour some champagne and let's toast FLARE's busy and successful last year!

FLARE Members will receive a registration invitation.

August 2023

Thursday
24
2023
August 24, 2023

Presidential Sites Conference

Washington, DC.

Thursday
24
2023
August 24, 2023

Presidential Sites Conference

First Ladies Textbook panel--Diana Carlin, Anita McBride, Nancy Smith

Washington, DC.

September 2023

Monday
18
2023
September 18, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

FLARE 2023 Gould Award Winner Announcement

Thursday
21
2023
September 21, 2023

National First Ladies Library

Third Thursdays with the First Ladies Featuring Jackie Kennedy

Monday
25
2023
September 25 - 27, 2023

WHHA Presidential Sites Summit

Presentation by Diana Carlin, Anita McBride, Nancy Kegan Smith, and Barbara Perry

Washington, DC.

Monday
25
2023
September 25, 2023
12:00PM - 1:00PM EDT

Anita McBride Exclusive Interview with Andrea Mitchell

Starting today at approximately 12:45 pm ET, Anita McBride will be featured in an exclusive interview with Andrea Mitchell, journalist and commentator for NBC News, on her MSNBC show, Andrea Mitchell Reports. Anita will announce the publication of the new textbook. This is the nation's first textbook on first ladies designed for courses and course units exploring the history of the role, continuity and change over time, and the many impacts U.S. first ladies had on the presidency and society. We hope you'll watch!

October 2023

Monday
16
2023
October 16, 2023

FLARE 2023 Call for Nominations for Board Members Deadline

The 2023 FLARE Nominating Committee solicits from any member of the Association names of possible nominees for FLARE Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and two At-Large Board Members. The Nominating Committee will review and narrow the slate of nominees who will be listed on the general election ballot. The Nominating Committee will not be limited in its deliberations to the list of nominees. All nominees must be a member of FLARE at the time of nomination and must agree to maintain membership during the term of office.

Thursday
19
2023
October 19, 2023
4:00PM - 5:00PM EDT

The Dole Institute Presents: 10 Defining Moments in the History of the American First Lady 1900-2023

Presenters: Diana Carlin, Professor Emerita of Communications at Saint Louis University and Myra Gutin, Professor Emerita of Communications at Rider University

Online Presentation

Thursday
26
2023
October 26, 2023
6:00PM - 7:00PM EDT

The White House Historical Association's History Happy Hour.

Betty Ford: Dancing on the Cabinet Room Table

Click Link Above to Register

Outspoken. Trailblazing. Indomitable. When Betty Ford was thrust into the White House under extraordinary circumstances, she 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. After a painful intervention by her family, she admitted to an addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs, and her courageous decision to go public revolutionized treatment and the modern concept of recovery.

November 2023

Wednesday
15
2023
November 15, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM EDT

A Tour of the National First Ladies Library

Virtual

Join FLARE for "A Tour of the National First Ladies Library." Director of Collections and Research Michelle Gullion from the National First Ladies Library & Museum will take viewers on a special behind-the-scenes tour of some of the more fascinating First Ladies items in the collection. She will discuss the items’ history, provenance, and significance to the legacies of these inspirational women.

Wednesday
29
2023
November 29, 2023
6:00PM - 7:00PM EST

Women on Wednesdays - US First Ladies

Featuring: Diana Carlin and Anita McBride

December 2023

Tuesday
5
2023
December 5, 2023
5:30PM - 6:30PM EST

WHHA White History Live:

The Washingtons, the Custises, and the Making of America

Monday
11
2023
December 11, 2023
7:00PM - 8:00PM EST

FLARE Program ... Edith Wilson: Overnight Sensation

Heath Lee Interviews Author Rebecca Roberts

View on Facebook or on YouTube - link provided in the detailed information

Friday
15
2023
December 15, 2023

Melania Trump to Headline Naturalization Ceremony

National Archives Rotunda

Former First Lady Melania Trump is expected to speak before a National Archives’ naturalization ceremony on Dec. 15. The ceremony is part of its annual celebration of Bill of Rights Day. The ceremony will be held in the historic National Archives Rotunda, and will see 25 people from 25 nations sworn in as new U.S. citizens in front of the Constitution and the nation’s other founding documents. Trump, herself a naturalized citizen, and Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan, will provide remarks, according to a statement from the National Archives and Records Administration.

January 2024

Wednesday
31
2024
January 31, 2024
5:30PM - 6:30PM EST

FLOTUS, the Media and Challenging Old Narratives

Virtual Meeting - View on Facebook or YouTube

Join the First Ladies Association for Research and Education for a lively conversation with East Wing Magazine journalists Jennifer Taylor and Erin Donaghue about the challenges between first ladies and the media; about the changing landscape of the media and how presidential spouses have adapted; and about East Wing Magazine and its mission to flip the traditional narratives told about first ladies and the greater East Wing.

March 2024

Monday
4
2024
March 4, 2024

Remember the First Ladies

Presented by the National Archives

In Person and online

In celebration of Women's History Month, please join Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan, who will moderate a program featuring Diana Carlin, Anita McBride, and Nancy Kegan Smith, co-authors of a new book, Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women. The book illustrates First Ladies’ unique position to influence American society, policy, diplomacy, and life in the White House and illuminates how many of them broke barriers to make a mark on our country and, at times, the world. A book signing will follow the program.

Women’s History programming is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of Denise Gwyn Ferguson.

Wednesday
6
2024
March 6, 2024
7:00PM - 8:00PM

FLARE Social Hour

FLARE Members will receive a registration invitation.

Thursday
21
2024
March 21, 2024
7:00PM - 8:00PM

Debra Scala Giokas book talk on Ladies First-Common Threads

Bay Shore Historical Society

Thursday
28
2024
March 28, 2024
7:30PM - 8:30PM

In Sickness and in the White House: First Ladies' Illnesses from the 1840s to the 1980s s

with Katie Sibley, Michelle Gullion, and Elizabeth Thacker-Estrada

Virtual Program ... please see links below.

April 2024

Wednesday
3
2024
April 3, 2024
8:30AM - 12:30PM

First Ladies Then and Now: Communicating Their Message

FLARE presents the Central States Communication Association Pre-Conference

Grand Amway Hotel, Grand Rapids, MI

The field of First Ladies Studies has grown dramatically since the first course was offered in 1982 at the University of Texas-Austin and Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter hosted the first conference on first ladies in Grand Rapids in 1984. Communication scholars have been at the heart of the growth in scholarship, publications, conference programs, and interviews in various media. With the creation of the interdisciplinary association, founded by seven scholars--including four from communication--and new publications, including the first-ever college textbook, this is an area of study with tremendous potential for communication scholarship, especially for graduate students and early career faculty. To trace the history of this interdisciplinary field of inquiry, Central States is partnering with FLARE--First Ladies Association for Research and Education--to mark the 40th anniversary of the conference at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.

Events & Conferences