Get to Know The Figure of The First Lady and Her Roles. What Duties are Actually They Do?

The First Lady became an important figure behind the success of world leaders. A woman is referred to as First Lady when she has a President, Prime Minister, or even a King as her husband. 

As the First Lady, this person plays an important role in supporting the performance of the world leader who is her husband. 

State leaders have countless agendas of activities. The size of the territory of a country and the variety of national problems must also be faced by the state leader. 

It is impossible for all of these tasks to be completed alone. Even the presence of assistants to the state leaders does not necessarily mean that these tasks will be completed optimally. 

Hence, the existence of the First Lady would be necessary. As long as a state leader and First Lady are in office, both have the public discourse on what to do and what not to do. 

A job as a First Lady is not something that can be applied for and even tends to be unpaid. There are no specific requirements to become a First Lady, but this figure is often known as a warm and motherly person. 

Maybe there are some world leaders who don't have a First Lady for some reasons. Basically, the country is going to be fine, but it feels lacking because of the need for balance like how a state leader is known to be firm along with a First Lady who is known to be warm.

The role of the First Lady is now an active and prominent position in various official meetings, whether representing her husband as a state leader or having her own agenda as First Lady. Not only that, the First Lady was influential in a number of policies made by state leaders. 

These policies were inseparable from the First Lady's intervention. In building a national image, the First Lady also contributed. 

Several studies say that the intellectual abilities and charm of the First Lady are said to be able to bring their figure closer to the public.

As for when visiting abroad, a First Lady is obliged to accompany the state leader. Because of this, in almost every foreign service trip undertaken by a state leader, we can see a First Lady accompanying her.

Based on a paper by lecturers of communications studies in the United States, Keith V. Erickson and Stephanie Thomson, there are three aspects of the First Lady's diplomatic role. 

First, managing the credibility of state leaders such as accompanying or representing. 

Second, encourage international relations, especially regarding cultural diplomacy. 

Third, get involved in social activism, especially in terms of promoting humanitarian issues. The several roles of the First Lady according to the author are as follows:

• Taking care of the State Leader's Family

A state leader must have a large family. Apart from taking care of the country, the head of the country also has a family that he has to take care of. 

Therefore, the First Lady has a more important role to play in managing her family's household. 

In this case the First Lady also has to fulfill her function as a mother and wife for the state's leading family. 

However, in practice, the public scrutiny often overshadows it and even creates its own challenges. 

This also meant that the First Lady was not allowed to differ from the state leader in public.

• Attending Many Social Activities

Many First Lady in various countries often attended many social activities. There are several things related to social activities that can be carried out by the First Lady such as activities to protect women and children. 

Through activities like this, the First Lady can help her husband as a state leader in carrying out state duties. 

More often attending social activities than state leaders, sometimes the First Lady is much more loved by the public. Her warm figure is easily accepted by the public.

• Taking the Role as a Political Partner of State Leaders

This role shows the level of influence and importance of the figure of the First Lady to the state leader. 

Apart from the fact that the two of them have always been together throughout their careers, state leaders also tend to trust their partners the most as personal and open advisers. 

Several state leaders did not even hesitate to leave important decisions to the First Lady, especially in matters concerning humanity and the survival of many people. 

This is because women are considered to tend to be sensitive and far better understand the feelings of many people.

So far, the role of the First Lady that many people know is mostly just as a companion to the state leaders. 

However, if we explore deeper, the role of the First Lady has grown over time. 

In essence, the duties of state leaders will also increase over time in office, especially at this time when global problems are increasingly complex and difficult. 

For this reason, as a wife and First Lady in a country, the role of the First Lady is now growing and becoming known to the public. 

One of the things that the First Lady often did was attending social activities or establishing certain agencies that could deal with social problems. 

Because of this role, it is not uncommon for the First Lady to receive appreciation for her services.

The freedom that a First Lady has in carrying out her duties and roles, sometimes also comes with some criticism and even criticism from many parties. 

Indeed, no one can explain what is appropriate or what must be done by the First Lady, because the First Lady also becomes a target for the public if there is some criticism against the state leader. 

To deal with this, most First Lady will continue to show a calm and caring side in front of the public so that they can slowly break down the criticism.

If we look at the roles of the previous First Lady, we should be able to reconsider that being a First Lady is not a position that can be applied for, but a position that is automatically given to the wife of a state leader. 

The First Lady is mandated as an assistant to the state leaders in completing her increasing number of tasks, especially in the social field. 

The figure of the First Lady should no longer be considered voiceless and only carry out her role according to the orders of the state leaders. 

Indeed, there has not been much reporting regarding the diplomatic effects of the First Lady and their services in the national interest and it has not even been widely acknowledged. 

Therefore, they should and deserve to be more active figures in international diplomacy. 

The First Lady must also have the strength to continue to be committed to upholding the empowerment and advancement of women throughout the world.

Source: Smithsonian Magazine

A Brief History of the First Lady

It should be noted that in its history, which was around 1789 in the United States, after George Washington was sworn in as the first president, people began to give the name of a President's wife. 

Various titles such as Mrs. President, Presidentress, First Lady, First Ladyship, and Lady Ladyship are used to denote these positions. 

In 1977, the First Lady of the United States occupied the Office of the First Lady which is under the coordination of the presidential staff and is located on the east side of the White House. 

Then since 1989, the First Lady's role has changed a lot, such as being involved in her husband's political campaigns and becoming a representative to attend official events. 

After the term of office of a state leader ends or in this case her husband, a First Lady will usually publish an autobiography containing memories of her career while accompanying her husband as a state leader.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, it was known that the First Lady of the second President, Tien Suharto, played an important and crucial role as President Suharto's personal adviser. 

This shows that the position and authority of the First Lady in Indonesia is not only as a companion and symbol in welcoming various state guests, but also includes other important roles such as influencing policy making by state leaders. 

It should also be noted that in Indonesia there are no binding regulations regarding whether a state leader must have a wife or a First Lady figure for the country. 

However, the existence of a First Lady figure in Indonesia is considered important by many people because since the first President, Soekarno, to the current President, Jokowi, there has always been someone accompanying the state leaders.

Along with the development of the times, now there are many activities that the First Lady can attend, especially in international meetings attended by state leaders such as ASEAN, APEC, and the G-20. 

The host country will always prepare special programs for the wives of state leaders. In the program, they will be invited to take part in various forms of socio-cultural and tourism activities. 

Until now, the position of the First Lady continues to be highlighted by the public and slowly there is a lot of news about their role and services to the country.

Source: Xinhua

Influential First Lady Figures

In this world there are several important female figures who have been or are currently the First Lady. Here are some examples of First Lady figures from various countries:

• Ani Yudhoyono

Ani Yudhoyono is the wife of former President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. She has taken several big steps to support human resources in Indonesia. 

In addition, she also founded the SIKIB agency which was formed in 2005 and aims to help accelerate the pace of education, creativity, environmental social care, health, and women's empowerment. 

Through SIKIB, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, gave directions to his wife and the wives of other officials to contribute to social activities. This program is intended to create superior human resources.

For Ani Yudhoyono, during her time as First Lady in Indonesia, she not only accompanied her husband, but also got closer to the community and played an active role in front of other country's high-ranking officials. In her opinion, being the First Lady is neither easy nor as beautiful as many people think. 

She also felt the ups and downs of being the most important female figure in Indonesia. Besides being happy because they are close to the community, they can also provide direct solutions when attending visits.

• Iriana Joko Widodo

Iriana Joko Widodo is the wife of the current President of Indonesia, Jokowi. She showed her love for the world of education after giving an opening speech which contained the importance of education at an early age in various regions in Indonesia. 

In addition, she has also accompanied her husband on foreign visits to Ukraine, which is still at war with Russia. 

By providing humanitarian assistance to a hospital in Ukraine, he received a lot of praise from the people in Indonesia. 

Even experts in law and international relations see this as a symbolic message that Indonesia can bring hope for peace and friendship which can be the first step to open up space for diplomacy. 

This effort shows Indonesia's identity as a country that is open and friendly to the people of Ukraine and the world.

• Peng Liyuan

Peng Liyuan is the figure of the First Lady of China. She has taken an important role in diplomacy to support President Xi Jinping's foreign policy since 2013. 

Peng Liyuan's presence is considered friendly and charismatic by the Chinese people, and creates a balance with the firm figure of Xi Jinping. 

If we examine the figure of the First Lady in China, then we will rarely find it on various broad social media platforms. 

This is different from the figure of a First Lady in other countries such as the United States.

• Dolley Madison

Dolley Madison is a First Lady who has a major influence in the history of the United States. 

She is the wife of the former fourth President of the United States, James Madison, who also called his wife the First Lady for the first time. 

For Dolley Madison, as the wife of a President she had the right to appear in public affairs and not just to greet guests at the White House. 

By showing herself in public, for her it can give the impression of the influence that a President's wife has.

• Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was the wife of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As First Lady, she carried out many activities in various fields of business and influenced social policies. 

In fact, she became the First Lady who held a press conference for the first time. During the 12 years accompanying her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was noted to have conducted many press conferences. In addition, she also earned the nickname as the most controversial First Lady.

Eleanor Roosevelt was also known as a figure who often visited workers events privately. In fact, she often heard complaints directly from the people of the United States. She also criticized discrimination against women workers at that time. 

Not only that, she also expressed her opinion on creating a rule in which there were less torturous working hours for men who were at war. This is done so that the men have time to also take care of the household. 

Compared to the figure of the previous First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was considered a First Lady who was able to break another view of the role of a First Lady.

• Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy is a First Lady who is known as the wife of the former President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. Jacqueline Kennedy also known as Jackie Kennedy, she always spent most of her time restoring and updating the White House. 

She is respected as a calm and dignified First Lady. Back during the election season, Jackie Kennedy helped her husband campaign by answering letters, giving interviews, and writing weekly magazines.

• Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is the First Lady of the United States who is also very active. She is the wife of former President Barack Obama. She has frequently given speeches at the Democratic National Convention for several years. 

Michelle Obama is also known as a passionate advocate on issues regarding childhood obesity and poverty awareness in the United States. 

In 2019, she released a memoir of her and her husband's presence at the White House. The memoir is very popular and has inspired many people to this day.