The First Ladies of the US present a fascinating group of talented and influential women. Nevertheless, with the exception of a few familiar figures like Dolley Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama, they have been largely overlooked in our country’s history.  Spring Valley resident Anita B. McBride, with her co-authors, aims to correct that with two new authoritative books on the subject.
 
The books present the fruits of scholarly historical research with the interests of their respective target audiences in mind, one as a college textbook, the other as a book for general readers. McBride champions inclusive history, which “includes these women and the partnership they have with the president.” She has an enviable vantage point to consider the role of First Lady, having served in three Presidential administrations, most recently with Laura Bush as her Chief of Staff.