HSHSP Ep 174: Teaching About Presidents’ Wives, Interview with Jill Hummer

This week on HSHSP Ep 174: Teaching About Presidents' Wives, Interview with Jill Hummer. HSHSP Ep 174: Teaching About Presidents' Wives, Interview with Jill Hummer Homeschool high schoolers can really get some inspiration when they learn about American First Ladies. Our friend, Dr. Jill Hummer, of Wilson College, is a national expert on Presidents' Wives. Jill and her husband, Josh, homeschool their family. Josh was homeschooled himself, which makes them a second-generation homeschool family! Jill is also a Political Science professor at Wilson College in Pennsylvania. She is known for her expertise on First Ladies, having been interviewed on History Channel, given lectures on C-Span, and authored an interesting and authoritative book on the topic. Why should homeschool high schooler learn about First Ladies? Learning about Presidents' Wives may inspire a future First Lady (or maybe even a future President)! Learning about Presidents' Wives can also build a sparkle credit for the homeschool transcript. Teaching about Presidents' Wives? Start with some trivia: * They had to invent their own job description, there's no rule book for them * Many started out as ordinary wives and mothers * Many President's wives endured hardships in their lifetimes: * Elinor Roosevelt was orphaned when young * Bess Truman's father committed suicide * Betty Ford's father died of carbon monoxide poisoning * Mary Lincoln lost a child while a First Lady. Other first also lost children at some point. When teens learn about the hardships that these ladies endured they learn that God hasn't checked out of the universe, even when things get tough! One thing that homeschool high schoolers can enjoy is this quote by Pat Nixon: Being first lady was the hardest unpaid job in the world. (Said by Pat Nixon when she flew to represent the United States at the inauguration of the new president of Liberia. She had a 12 hour flight, days of state activity, right on the inaugural podium as a representative of her husband during the ceremony. After the event she sighed and said her famous quote.) * First Ladies don't get compensated (just like us ordinary moms). It is a salary-free job! But they are still expected to represent our nation in many national and international situations. First Ladies are big influencers. Homeschool high schoolers can learn about Presidents' Wives to begin thinking about becoming little influencers right where they are. (We can all be an influence for good in some way at each stage of life.) First Ladies often take leadership in a cause or project while in the office. Jacqueline Kennedy had the first First Lady project. * When Harry Truman did not live in the White House because it was in disrepair. (When they moved into the White House, Margaret's piano's leg went through the floor. They quickly found out that the building had to be gutted and rebuilt.) The project ran out of money to finish, so when Mamie Eisenhower gave Jacqueline her tour of the White House on Inauguration Day, Jacqueline was appalled. The repairs were complete but the decor was horrendous. House was decorated only by donations from a New York apartment store. Jacqueline, who was well-studied in American History and Art, made it her project to decorate in a respectful way...