First Ladies of Arkansas

The First Ladies of Arkansas

In 1985, former First Lady Anne McMath began doing research on her counterparts in Arkansas history. What she found was that very little had been written or recorded about these women who worked sided by side with their husbands as they settled the state and played their roles in its political history. There were many books on the men who played their part in this story, but basically one definitive book on the First Ladies, First Ladies of Arkansas by Peggy Jacoway; and it only included information through 1945. Governor McMath urged his wife to interview the remaining First Ladies while they were still alive, so that their story would be recorded for future generations. At first she was not enthusiastic about taking on such a tremendous challenge; but as she began her research she found herself fascinated by the diversity of these women and their role in Arkansas life. At her husband’s urging, she agreed to write a new book on these women. She felt very strongly that it was time the female perspective of Arkansas history be shared. As she put it, "The wives of these men march in the political parade – they hear the drums, live in the glare of the lights, receive adulation and criticism, glory in their men’s success, experience their frustrations, and ache and hurt over their defeats. In short, they see it all, feel it all and share it all."

In the early days of Arkansas, women were relegated to a domestic role, yet their stories are tales of women who braved frontier life. As Mrs. McMath stated, "If there had not been women with a pioneer spirit, courageous enough to withstand hardships, then the settlement of Arkansas as a state would not have begun as early as it did. For the men who brought their families with them were the ones who stayed here to settle and build." She also points out that the wife of the governor was equally as susceptible to diseases, floods and Indians as her contemporaries were!

In Arkansas’ early days women were homebodies, and that included the ones who were known by the title of "Wife of the Governor". She didn’t take part in community life, campaign or even attend her husband’s inauguration. She stayed home and tended the family, happy to live in the shadow of her more famous husband. As times changed and women in general became more involved in community activities, so did the governor’s wife. Her first step outside domestic life was through her church. By the late 1800s she had begun to attend college and have a teaching or nursing career. She joined a culture club to enrich her life. She studied music and art and gave classes in these subjects. When social welfare work was organized and women became active in helping underprivileged children, prisons and schools, the First Lady did as well. She began to participate in her husband’s campaigns, attending public functions with him and even his inauguration!

To exemplify the change in the role, we see the wives of our state’s governors in the 19th century battling frontier conditions and facing a civil war, fighting for the right to vote, and gradually emerging from housewife to community leader. The 20th century model continued to change with the times. She was better educated than her predecessors, yet still showed the same spirit and determination. She invaded the all-male political world and created a public and political image of her own. Some have even held their own careers while serving as First Lady of Arkansas. She has been as typical of the women of her era as those who came before her were.

In the beginning the term "First Lady" was not used for the wife of the president or the governors of states. The title came about gradually to refer to the wife of the president; for instance, Martha Washington was referred to as "Lady Washington", "Presidentress" and "Mrs. President". Mary Todd Lincoln was referred to as "Queen Republican". Lavinia Davis was referred to as "The First Lady of the Confederacy" and Lucy Hayes became "The First Lady of the Land" during her husband’s term, after accompanying him on a coast-to-coast trip. In time, the phrase was applied to governor’s wives as well.

The role of First Lady in Arkansas became much different once the Governor’s Mansion was built. It literally made a public figure of the First Lady, and has given her the responsibility of running a state institution. While she still has no constitutional authority, isn’t elected or appointed, she has acquired a full-time job with no pay. In fact, as Mrs. McMath points out, she truly doesn’t even volunteer for the job – it comes with the territory of being married to man who gets himself elected governor! And each First Lady has put her individual stamp on the role.

There have been 40 First Ladies serving our state. There were five governors who served without First Ladies – two were bachelors and three were widowers. Of the 40 First Ladies, two became brides and First Ladies in the same year, another celebrated her Golden Wedding Anniversary while in office; two eloped on horseback to marry their future governors; some were childless; one had 12; and three children have been born to a First Family while in office – Ernestine Flora Rector, Bruce McMath and, of course, Chelsea Clinton.

The most common name of First Ladies in our state has been Anne (four), with three Marys, three Margarets, two Mabels, two Marthas and even one Cinderella! There were five – Cinderella Drew, Ina Davis, Mabel Parnell, Alta Faubus and Hillary Clinton – whose husband served more than four years as governor.

Mrs. McMath says, "The philosophical differences between these pioneer women and women of today are not years, but ages, apart. However, in breaking down the barriers of the male worlds of business and politics, women of today have displayed the same bravery and determination as frontier women did in conquering the wilds and establishing a civilization. The First Ladies well reflect the changes that have taken place."

Presenting Arkansas' First Ladies

Special thanks to Elizabeth Jacoway Watson

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