Jacqueline Kennedy 1961                                  Michelle Obama 2009

Eleanor Roosevelt 1945 Mary Lincoln 1861

Mamie Eisenhower 1957 Martha Washington 1780s

Nonverbal Communication of First Ladies

   The role of the First Lady is not outlined in the constitution, however her role undoubtedly plays a profound role in the perception of the President’s administration. The rhetoric of First Ladies is intriguing due to the visual nature of their message. Historically, the role of the First Lady was primarily visual, and requires little verbal discourse. While, the modern First Ladies such as Michelle Obama are talented verbal rhetors, I would argue they communicate much more powerful messages through their use of silence, gestures, fashion choices, and what types of programs they advocate for. Through my research I have discovered the subject of First Lady nonverbal communication had gone unrecognized. Very little academic work has been dedicated to analyzing the nonverbal communication of these influential women.

    The American First Lady has been a historic site for the negotiation of femininity, and the gendered roles women perform in America. The role of First Lady is a gendered role, thus has norms associated with duties and expected actions. While the role of first lady has evolved, it began and remains to a large degree a visual role. On a campaign trail often first ladies, and other politician’s wives only duty is to smile, wave and nonverbally communicate American, and family values. Former first lady Bess Truman once stated, “A woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband, be silent, and be sure her hat is on straight.” (Wertheimer xv)

Jacqueline Kennnedy

    Communication professor, Molly Meijer Wertheimer discussed in her book, Leading Ladies of the White House, how, “Silence and measured speech are requirements of being a first lady; some first ladies err because they speak‘too much’ or not in the right way, while others err because they speak ‘too little’.” (Werthheimer, Introduction, pg x) First lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s communication style was interesting to research due to the fact it was primarily nonverbal. Mrs. Kennedy, as she preferred to be called, refused many opportunities to speak verbally, or interview with the press. She was the first true T.V. first lady, and has been cemented in American history as a fashion icon. Mrs. Kennedy enacted traditional feminine ideals by the way in which she dressed and presented herself. Communication scholar and professor Julia T. Wood states that social definition of women include that they are deferential, decorative, as well as relationship centered. (Wood 2011 pg157) Her perfectly coiffed appearance gained her and the Kennedy administration credibility. Contributor Elizabeth J. Natalle wrote in her chapter of Leading Ladies of the White House, that, “Jacqueline Kennedy herself was the rhetorical object, and her ability to heighten the ethos of the Kennedy administration through her personal presentation is unmatched by any other first lady.” Jackie O also nonverbally communicated the place of women in society by refusing to take a larger role in politics in order to devote her time to being a wife and mother to her two young children. The most famous project she accomplished was the White House Restoration Project, a project that rests heavily in the domestic sphere. Natalle elucidates how, “Nonverbal communication scholars who study impression management often argue that one’s personal body and, by extension, one’s home are the two sites where individuals have control over the image they wish to present to the public, therefore influencing the outcome of the communication situation.“ (Natalle 48) Natalle explained how the effectiveness of how Mrs. Kennedy presented herself and the White House resulted in Americans to rate the aesthetic aspects of the Kennedy administration as one of the most,“popular and effective presidencies,” according to Gallup polls. (Natalle 48) Mrs. Kennedy also expressed femininity with her high pitched, breathy speech style, that, “by today’s standards, would be considered detrimental to a woman’s public speaking impact.” (Natalle 51) However, her voice actually made her more endearing, and feminine, a quality that masked her political strength. Wood explains, “Women embody femininity by speaking softly,” and that women who spoke with, “breathy, tense voices were judged to be pretty, feminine, petite, shallow, immature, and unintelligent. “ (Wood 2011 147, 157) Mrs. Kennedy’s ultimate act of nonverbal communication was the silent strength she exhibited for the nation after her husband’s assassination. She did not speak publicly, but remained solemn and unwavering, not once breaking down in front of television cameras. Her emotional control was what the country needed. Natalle concludes that, “Perhaps her most effective communication choice was the strategic use of silence. She used image rather than words to convey messages that allowed public satisfaction while preserving her privacy as an individual.” Natalle (63)

Pat Nixon

   Pat Nixon, wife of former President Richard Nixon was famous for her ability to read people’s nonverbal display of emotions, and being able to respond appropriately. She gained credibility as her, “personal diplomacy was a sophisticated rhetorical strategy, but there was nothing about Mrs. Nixon’s demeanor to indicate that it was calculated.” (Hobgood 117) Through her gestures, and way she carried herself Mrs. Nixon demonstrated genuine affection for people as well as interest in their well being. She exhibited immediacy by putting guests at ease on numerous occasions from giving Appalachian quilters who sobbed because they were so overwhelmed to meet her wordless hugs, or recognizing fear in a young crippled boy who visited the White House and making him feel at ease by addressing his concerns. 

Eleanor Roosevelt

     Eleanor Roosevelt was a remarkable woman. While she was not shy about vocally advocating issues she cared about, she used nonverbal communication to promote her beliefs. Because her husband Franklin D. Roosevelt was handicapped, she became her husband’s eyes and ears, by traveling the world and reporting to him. Her physical presence in people’s communities communicated that the she and the Roosevelt administration cared about the American people. She utilized photographs to promote gender and racial equality by frequently being pictured with women and people of color. While she did give many speeches, she nonverbally communicated her feminism by limiting press conferences to only allow female journalists. This action prompted many Washington newspapers to have to hire a female reporter so they wouldn’t be excluded. Contributor to Leading Ladies of the White House, Lisa M. Barry explains how Eleanor Roosevelt nonverbally established a matriarchal identity in order to be a more effective educator of the nation. Barry states that she used a,“rhetorical strategy whereby she conforms to societal expectations, but at the same time, works to develop a constituency of women who will be motivated to take action. “ (pg 25) Eleanor Roosevelt masks the political nature of what she is saying by conforming to her expected gendered role which centers around nurturing.

The Domestic Sphere of First Ladies

     Each first lady’s nonverbal communication style is unique, however my research led me to discover the common theme of their work to be social cause centered, often around health and children’s causes. Wood explains that, “Nonverbal behaviors expected of women emphasize communality- building and sustaining relationships and community.”(Wood 2011 pg 155) From Rosalynn Carter who promoted mental healthcare programs, Nancy Reagan who crusaded to help young adults with addiction issues, Barbara Bush who pushed family literacy, to our current first lady, Michelle Obama whose work has been centered around fitness for children. While these causes are important I find it interesting that few First Ladies promote a cause outside the domestic sphere. All of these examples are apart of nurturing and caring for the needs of others. When Hillary Clinton made comments against Chinese oppression at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijng, her comments were later apologized for by her husband, and on a, “subsequent trip to Latin America she shied away from controversial topics.” (Erickson, Thomson 2012 pg 247) In the Southern Communication journal article, “First Lady International Diplomacy: Performing Gendered Roles on the World Stage,” Thomson and Erickson explore how the role of first lady is, “chiefly restricted to performing diplomacy roles that deal with gendered, relational, and humanitarian issues.”(pg 240) Hillary Clinton is quoted saying that she understood her role would be to, “emphasize issues related to women, health care, education, and human rights.” (Clinton 2003) The common theme of causes advocated by first ladies sets a precedent to women and nonverbally communicates what is appropriate for women to discuss, and promote.

Artifactual Communication

       Artifacts such as clothing and jewelry establish nonverbal messages about the person wearing them.  Clothing provides a nonverbal outlet to convey identity, attract others, or exert social and economic status. Clothing can indicate a time period, climate, and culture. It serves as protection, and to portray self-concept. Studies have correlated that clothing choices are often connected to personal characteristics, and personality. (Pearson, Nelson, Titsworth, Harter 2011)  This explains why so much effort is dedicated to preserving the outfits, ball gowns, and jewelry of first ladies in museums such as the Smithsonian.  It also explains why so much attention is paid to fashion choices of First Ladies in the media.  Because of media coverage First Ladies are remembered more for their fashion choices than accomplishments. Around the time of the 2009 Inaugural Ball so much news was dedicated to Michelle Obama’s ivory single-shouldered Jason Wu gown, it is the only thing I remember about the event.  First Ladies such as Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama are regarded more feminine and as fashion icons compared to former First Lady Hillary Clinton who has been tormented in the news for her choice of pant suits.  The choice of power dressing is nothing new however, to female political leaders.  The first female pharaoh of Egypt, Queen Hatsheput (1522-1458 BCE) adorned herself in men’s clothing in an effort to exert her right to rule. Interestingly, Hillary Clinton’s style has evolved from very feminine to more power pantsuits as she transitioned from First Lady to Presidential nominee, then Secretary of State. 

     First Lady Helen Herron Taft donated her inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian Institute in 1912, thus beginning a tradition and one of the most admired exhibits of the Smithsonian. The First Ladies gown collection has grown to a full exhibit of over 1,000 personal objects and documents of First Ladies. The Smithsonian Institute explains, “This broader focus has made it possible for the Museum’s exhibitions to explore more complex and interpretive stories about the role that the first ladies played in American politics and culture.” (Smithsonian Institute)   The gowns truly give a sense of their owner’s personality and taste.  The gowns not only reflect the person that First Lady was, but serves as a historical artifact  that can teach the viewer  societal expectations of women in their time period. It is interesting to contrast the modest and large ball gowns of Martha Washington and Frances Cleveland to the sleek and sexy one shoulder gowns of Jacqueline Kennedy and Michelle Obama. After viewing their gowns, it appears Mrs. Obama’s 2009 ball gown may have been inspired by Mrs. Kennedy’s State Dinner dress.

My research of nonverbal communication of first ladies has inspired me to continue learning about this topic. Especially because of how little information exists explicitly about this topic. I had to comb through research about first ladies to find only small pieces of their nonverbal communication. I learned how influential a political figure can be through the nonverbal image portrayed. I never could understand why so much attention was paid to the fashion choices of first ladies before this project. Now I understand how the choices a first lady makes in her wardrobe can aid in making her husband’s administration seem more credible, as explained in the example of Jackie Kennedy. I also learned how silence speaks volumes, and how strategic silence can accomplish more than words. I learned how gendered nonverbal communication is, and how different roles are expected from women verses men, especially on the world stage.

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073406805/825671/Pearson4e_ch04.pdf

Human Communication, 4/e

Judy C. Pearson, North Dakota State University - Fargo
Paul E. Nelson, North Dakota State University - Fargo
Scott Titsworth, Ohio University - Athens
Lynn Harter, Ohio University - Athens

ISBN: 0073406805
Copyright year: 2011

http://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2012/04/03/what-your-clothes-say-about-you/2/#./?&_suid=139818654524907745681797813453

http://iancavalier.com/spiralnotepad/2008/10/05/wall-street-pantsuits-nintendo/