Jacqueline Kennedy: A Source of Change in America

Ashley MacPherson
History 1700-062
April 21, 2014







First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy followed her husband President John F. Kennedy into the
White House as a symbol of new horizons and energetic revitalization on January 20, 1961, and
her influence over the American people and what she came to represent for them changed the
role of first lady forever. Raised in Southampton, New York, Jacqueline enjoyed a privileged
lifestyle that was full of rich education and packed with exposure to the arts of all kinds. She was
a strong woman with passion that many American women found relatable and charming. During
this time the youthful spirit from the presidential couple gave people a sense of hope and
rejuvenation which they longed for. Jacqueline Kennedy changed the future of the social role of
the first lady by setting precedence through art and social events, by becoming a representation
of the President, and by becoming a source of strength to the American people during the time
after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
When Jacqueline Kennedy walked into a room every eye was on her. She had a charisma
and elegance that was the envy of every housewife in America. Before long the streets of the
United States were filled with Jackie Kennedy clones. Women wanted to dress like her, have
their hair styled like her, and carry themselves with the grace of a Kennedy. In many ways her
fashion influence became a social sensation. To many the influence was a positive one of class
and beauty, but some found it to be an outrageous phenomenon and the scale of her influence
was thought by some to be comical. In an article in Coronet Magazine author Adeline Daley
exclaims, I dont want to look like Jacqueline Kennedy! She jokes that she doesnt want to be
judged by the masses for not wanting to join the rest of the world in dressing just like the First
Lady. The author knows she may be alone in her beliefs and jokes that even Mona Lisa would be
a follower. The reality of the article is that while it has comedic value it is hardly an
exaggeration. The fashion influence of Jacqueline Kennedy was more than a movement over
America, it was a revolution. It demonstrates how easily the women of the United States related
to the first lady. They even felt comfortable enough to wear what she was wearing, and it gave
them a sense of confidence and power in themselves.
Along with her fashion sense, the arts were a passion of Mrs. Kennedy and she used that
to occupy her time and resources in the White House. Her love for the arts and historical
preservation led to her most notable accomplishment as first lady, the restoration of the White
House. The renovation of the White House encouraged national pride and established a new
found importance for American history. Jacqueline often used this newly restored White House
as a venue for social events to entertain diplomats and politicians from all over the globe. The
article Teaching the First Ladies Using Material Culture by Edith P. Mayo, explores the social
role of First Ladys and different ways that first ladies in history have used their social role to
change America. Along with that it discusses the role within the presidency campaign. It details
how Jacqueline Kennedy used social events, the performing arts, and her renovation of the White
House to display and promote the power of America. Through the use of material culture, she
established a dominance of the United States in the world. It demonstrates the influence that
Jacqueline Kennedy had on the way the world perceived America. She was often admired by
political diplomats and would even use her education of other languages to further woo foreign
guests. Also, setting precedence for a first lady project established for following First Ladies
that has continued with each first lady through to present day.
Jacqueline Kennedy was in the spotlight during a social revolutionary time for females.
Women were still considered inferior to men and often times only seen in the shadows of their
husbands. Tragically, on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas Jacqueline Kennedy watched as
the assassination of her husband President John F. Kennedy took place in her lap. Within hours
of the shooting and death of JFK, Jacqueline was rushed aboard the famous Air Force One jet. In
a photograph that was released to the public an image showing the former Vice President
Lyndon B. Johnson being sworn into the office of President of the United States with his wife on
one side and the freshly widowed Jacqueline Kennedy on the opposite side. In this stunning
picture Jacqueline Kennedy is all that America has left to hold onto their beloved fallen
President. She knew that she could not run and hide. She stood and represented her husband; all
that he stood for and with the determination to show what had happened to the President. With
President John F. Kennedy gone from this world, Jacqueline Kennedy became a representation
of everything America loved about him. The respect they held for the President they now held
for her, and at this time that kind of thinking was radical.
Months after the assassination of the President, Jacqueline Kennedy was again faced with
representing her husband, this time through her voice. Recently published in September 2011
Jacqueline Kennedy gave the oral history of President John F. Kennedy in 1964, with interviewer
Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. Much of the personal thoughts and opinions of John F. Kennedy died
with him that day, but the closest we could come to his history and presidency came from his
First Lady. Mrs. Kennedy did not take the task lightly, providing many detailed accounts of
political and social events that were pivotal to American history. Also included were inside looks
at the personal and private life of the President and his family. This oral history account is
another example of how the people of America and history were dependent upon Jacqueline
Kennedy representing President Kennedy. Without her stories and description we would not
have an oral recount of the history for one of Americas most adored presidents.
The grace and elegance that Jacqueline Kennedy embodied previous to the assassination
carried through after that fateful day. Noted many times in the media and in interviews, Mrs.
Kennedy held her composure and poise in a way that gave strength to the American public. With
all eyes on her she was prepared to become the source of vigor and power for the saddened
people of the world that needed to feel secure in the future. Her actions were admired by many
and it is reported that the White House received over 800,000 letters of condolence from the
nation and all over the world. In one touching letter from Maxine McNair, a mother who recently
had lost her only daughter in a public bombing, she expressed her appreciation for Jacqueline
Kennedy, May I commend you for your wonderful display of courage during that tragic
weekend. You helped many people all over the world to realize that it is possible to be
courageous under stress and strain. This illustration of the attitude that the public held for the
First Lady also represents the power and bravery that they gained from her model.
The security felt by American citizens was in jeopardy after the assassination of the
President and the First Lady had the knowledge that she would have to express her confidence in
and appreciation for the current President, Lyndon B. Johnson. In a letter made available to the
public, she thanks him for the kindness and friendship shown to her by him and his wife. She
also makes it very clear that she supports him as the President of the United States of America.
This declaration would be seen by many to be as a direct show of support and belief in the
current government at a time when such uncertainty was running wild. By putting her confidence
in the newly appointed President she was asking the American public and the world to join in her
strength in sustaining President Lyndon B. Johnson. The strength received in the letter was not
only seen by the American citizens but even by President Johnson himself, and their relationship
publically seemed to be one of friendship and perseverance. Jacqueline Kennedys respect for the
new President gave the American public permission to embrace him as their new leader.
There are many similarities with these examples. First the public is always watching
Jackie. They have an eye on her at all times and are quick to copy and take on styles and
attitudes that she carries. Also, she holds respect for her position which in turn buys her the
respect from the public and even political figures throughout the world. Holding such a
prestigious opinion of a woman was not as come in this time. The value put into what she did
and what she thought influenced America on such a deep level that they intentionally sought her
for comfort and strength even in the darkest hours.
The differences that these examples maintain are in the timing of the sources. The fashion
and arts influences established a love and desire for Jacqueline Kennedy during her time in the
White House. People wanted to emulate her and many held her on a pedestal of prestige. After
the assassination of the President, the love for her carried a much deeper meaning for people.
They began to depend on her for more than her style sense and artistic passion. They sought after
emotional support and closure for strength to know that everything would be ok. The fact that
Jacqueline Kennedy could hold her poise and grace through this difficult time, gave people the
determination to get through not only this event, but their personal lives also.
With the achievements that Mrs. Kennedy pursued during her time as first lady and
through her example of courage during the difficult time of assassination of JFK she set forth the
new path for the wife of the President of the United States. The First Lady was now in the
spotlight of the public. They were going to be looking to see what they could gain from her.
Future First Ladies were now expected to change the social attitudes of Americans for the better.
The current First Lady Michelle Obama is a great example of a First Lady that has done a great
job at pursuing social needs of Americans and has become a source for them to come to love and
relate to. The expectations of the first lady had changed during Jacqueline Kennedys stay in the
White House through her use of social events and art restoration, by becoming a symbol of the
assassinated President, and through the attachment the American citizen made to her during the
difficult time in history by providing strength and comfort.