
From Barbara Bush to Eleanor Roosevelt, game-changing first ladies since 1900 are ranked by a panel of experts.
AP Photo
Total score: 15.4 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.2
Public advocacy during White House years: 1.8
Post-White House leadership: 1.8
Advancement of women’s rights: 1.7
Impact on role of first lady: 2. 9
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Total score: 19.3 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7. 6
Public advocacy during White House years: 3.5
Post-White House leadership: 2.1
Advancement of women’s rights: 2.5
Impact on role of first lady: 3.5
AP Photo
Total score: 20.7 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7. 8
Public advocacy during White House years: 2. 8
Post-White House leadership: 2.6
Advancement of women’s rights: 2.6
Impact on role of first lady: 4.9
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Total score: 21.125 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 6.5
Public advocacy during White House years: 3.9
Post-White House leadership: 4.1
Advancement of women’s rights: 3.3
Impact on role of first lady: 3.4
Getty Images
Total score: 21.3 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7. 6
Public advocacy during White House years: 4. 8
Post-White House leadership: 2.3
Advancement of women’s rights: 3
Impact on role of first lady: 3.6
Ed Clark. / Getty Images
Total score: 21.6 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7. 8
Public advocacy during White House years: 5. 6
Post-White House leadership: 1
Advancement of women’s rights: 3
Impact on role of first lady: 4.2
Topical Press Agency / Getty Images
Total score: 23 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.1
Public advocacy during White House years: 5. 6
Post-White House leadership: 1. 9
Advancement of women’s rights: 4.3
Impact on role of first lady: 4.1
Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Total score: 23.7 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.8
Public advocacy during White House years: 6.2
Post-White House leadership: 3
Advancement of women’s rights: 3.1
Impact on role of first lady: 3.6
Susan Biddle / Getty Images
Total score: 23.9 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.6
Public advocacy during White House years: 4.8
Post-White House leadership: 3.1
Advancement of women’s rights: 4.3
Impact on role of first lady: 4.1
Library of Congress / Getty Images
Total score: 27.9 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 8.9
Public advocacy during White House years: 4.9
Post-White House leadership: 3.3
Advancement of women’s rights: 3.1
Impact on role of first lady: 7.7
Stock Montage / Getty Images
Total score: 27.9 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 8.2
Public advocacy during White House years: 6.4
Post-White House leadership: 4.3
Advancement of women’s rights: 5.6
Impact on role of first lady: 3.4
Chris Maddaloni / Getty Images
Total score: 31.2 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 9.1
Public advocacy during White House years: 7.2
Post-White House leadership: 5
Advancement of women’s rights: 3.3
Impact on role of first lady: 6.6
Diana Walker / Getty Images
Total score: 31.9 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.8
Public advocacy during White House years: 6.6
Post-White House leadership: 5.1
Advancement of women’s rights: 6.6
Impact on role of first lady: 5.8
AP Phoot
Total score: 32 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.9
Public advocacy during White House years: 6.6
Post-White House leadership: 5.2
Advancement of women’s rights: 4.2
Impact on role of first lady: 8.1
Getty Images
Total score: 40.7 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 9
Public advocacy during White House years: 9.2
Post-White House leadership: 8
Advancement of women’s rights: 6.6
Impact on role of first lady: 7.9
Stan Wayman / Getty Images
Total score: 41.9 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 9.2
Public advocacy during White House years: 8.9
Post-White House leadership: 8.6
Advancement of women’s rights: 7.6
Impact on role of first lady: 7.6
AP Photo
Total score: 42.5 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 7.7
Public advocacy during White House years: 8.8
Post-White House leadership: 9.1
Advancement of women’s rights: 9
Impact on role of first lady: 7.9
CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images
Total score: 48.3 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 9.3
Public advocacy during White House years: 9.8
Post-White House leadership: 10
Advancement of women’s rights: 9.8
Impact on role of first lady: 9.4
Brad Markel / Getty Images
Total score: 49 out of 50
Score breakdown (each category worth 10 points):
Presidential support: 8.7
Public advocacy during White House years: 10
Post-White House leadership: 10
Advancement of women’s rights: 10
Impact on role of first lady: 9.7
Keystone / Getty Images