First ladies have fascinated Americans since the founding of the Republic. Yet, they have been anything but a homogenous group. In this examination of contemporary first ladies, Sharon Alter compares and contrasts the roles and accomplishments of the many women who have inhabited the White House in the last twenty five years, including Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. For more information contact MaryEllen McKenna, 847.885.7763.