An examination of how far Hillary Rodham Clinton successfully redefined the traditional role of the First Lady during her time in Arkansas

Greathead, Eleanor Rose (2017). An examination of how far Hillary Rodham Clinton successfully redefined the traditional role of the First Lady during her time in Arkansas. University of Birmingham. M.Res.

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Abstract

Hillary Rodham Clinton has made history in 2016 by becoming the first woman to ever run for the presidency for either of the major political parties. However, Clinton has found her credibility and qualifications to serve as the next president questioned. When thinking about Clinton's qualifications, her time serving as First Lady of Arkansas is often overlooked despite the fact that this is when she began to build a name for herself, independently of her husband. This thesis examines the time that Clinton served as First Lady of Arkansas and the way in which she used her ideology, grounded in liberal feminism, to redefine the traditional role of the First Lady. At a time when there was a backlash against women and feminism, Clinton was redefining the traditional role of the First Lady to make it
reflective of modem women at the time. Whilst she was forced to abandon her efforts to redefine symbolic aspects of the First Lady, she was Successful in creating a politicised role for herself as First Lady. Her success in politicising the role of the First Lady provided her with a wealth of political experience from which she successfully launched her own political career.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Res.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Res.

Supervisor(s):