When Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins left earth and headed for the moon on Apollo 11, two of them surely knew how their public lives would dramatically change. Armstrong and Aldrin gained the glory of being the first humans to set foot on the moon. Conversely, Collins orbited the moon alone piloting the command module that would bring them all home.
Collins would be later dubbed as “once, the loneliest man in the universe.” He gained that moniker because of having being cut off not only from his fellow astronauts but anyone else on earth as, for 21 hours, as he and the module circled and passed behind the dark side of the moon.
Metaphorically speaking, First Ladies can feel equally isolated. Often, they are fully overshadowed as their president-husbands orbit governmental responsibilities. The more complicated and convoluted the presidency – due to wars, the economy, etc. – the more obscured the First Lady.
As far back as the 1780s, when George Washington ascended to the office, his wife Martha loathed her position as First Lady. She often commented on how smothering it could be. In one statement, Martha commented she felt, “more like a state prisoner than anything else....”
Jackie Kennedy was arguably the first woman of outward public persona in the position. Not that others such as Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, etc., weren’t a presence. But, the advent of television and Jackie’s natural elegance soared her into the limelight.
Later, others became more participatory in social causes. Rosalynn Carter promoted education. Lady Bird Johnson beautified countless highways and public spaces. Betty Ford spearheaded women’s rights and substance abuse prevention. Nancy Reagan led a war on drugs.
In 1988, Barbara Bush stood by her husband George H.W. Bush as he took the oath of office to become the 41st president of the U.S. Her life had already been novelesque by giving birth to six children, one of whom died at age three of leukemia and another who would also become president.
Inspired by their son Neil’s diagnosis of dyslexia, Barbara became deeply involved in literacy. While her husband was vice president under Ronald Reagan, Barbara furthered that cause by penning the book, C. Fred’s Story. The children’s story is told from the perspective of their cocker spaniel living in the White House interacting with heads of state and notable celebrities. Proceeds from the publication went to two national literacy programs.
As a fixture in the White House and by George’s side domestically and internationally, Barbara is considered one of the most-admired First Ladies. She also tolerated considerable scrutiny of critics and comedians derisively comparing her hair and appearance to that of George Washington.
On June 10, at her home in Kennebunkport, Maine, Barbara Bush gets her due on the newest U.S. commemorative postage stamp. The 73-cent “Forever” stamp is being released on the 100th anniversary of her birth. It features a stoic formal portrait of the former First Lady.
Special First Day of Issue cancels are available online at www.USPS.gov.
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Her field of study is complex and often difficult for laypeople to comprehend. On top of that, Rubin struggled to gain recognition in a male-dominated field. Nevertheless, she became a groundbreaking figure in astrophysics. Rubin also advocated for women to be in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) – programs that are now standard and the foundation of many educational programs. In short, her research revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
The new quarter shows a profile image of Rubin gazing upward into the cosmos with stars and galaxies surrounding her. Below the crescent image are the words “DR. VERA RUBIN,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “DARK MATTER.”
The Dr. Rubin quarter scheduled for release this week is the 17th in the 20-coin American Women Quarters series begun in 2022 and ending at the end of 2025. The coin is available in rolls of 40 coins or bags of 100. The coins will also be issued individually in five-coin sets including all quarters issued in 2025. They can be ordered by collectors in uncirculated and proof condition directly from the US Mint at: www.USMint.gov.
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