Draft:Siena College First Ladies Study

The Siena College First Ladies Study is a study that has been conducted on six separate occasions< by the Siena College Research Institute to measure expert assessments of the first ladies of the United States.

The study asks historians, political scientists, and political scholars to assess the first ladies on ten criteria on a scale of one to five (with five being the highest score of excellence).^[1]

Summary table of overall rankings

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington	9	12	13	9	9	10
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams	2	3	2	2	2	2
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson	18	—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison	4	4	3	6	4	5
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe	24	23	31	29	30	33
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams	14	16	12	21	18	16
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson	26	—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren	36	—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison	23	—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler	35	30	34	35	37	37
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler	27	27	26	28	27	31
9	Sarah Polk	Polk	22	20	10	26	23	23
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor	33	33	35	34	35	38
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore	28	31	29	32	32	32
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce	38	34	38	38	39	39
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan	29	—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln	42	37	36	36	31	29
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson	21	24	22	33	38	36
15	Julia Grant	Grant	20	26	18	24	22	17
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes	12	15	14	18	20	22
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield	30	28	30	27	28	27
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur	25	—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland	13	22	23	20	26	26
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison	34	29	25	30	29	30
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley	40	32	32	31	34	34
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt	10	14	9	11	13	13
22	Helen Taft	Taft	19	25	21	22	25	24
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson	16	21	19	13	19	19
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson	7	10	11	10	14	12
25	Florence Harding	Harding	41	35	37	37	36	35
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge	17	19	17	17	21	25
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover	11	13	16	14	17	18
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	1	1	1	1	1	1
29	Bess Truman	Truman	15	11	20	16	16	20
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower	31	17	27	19	24	21
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	8	7	4	3	3	4
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson	3	6	7	5	7	7
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon	36	18	33	25	33	28
34	Betty Ford	Ford	6	9	8	7	8	6
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter	5	5	6	8	10	9
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan	39	36	27	15	15	15
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush	—	8	15	12	11	11
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—	2	5	4	6	8
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush	—	—	24	23	12	14
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—	—	5	3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

Rankings on weighed criteria

Accomplishments

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Accomplishments
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						17
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						3
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						7
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						32
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						16
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						38
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						28
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						18
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						37
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						27
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						39
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						35
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						34
15	Julia Grant	Grant						22
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						19
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						25
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						23
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						26
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						33
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						14
22	Helen Taft	Taft						20
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						13
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						10
25	Florence Harding	Harding						30
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						24
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						14
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						1
29	Bess Truman	Truman						31
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						29
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						5
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						6
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						36
34	Betty Ford	Ford						8
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						9
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						21
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					11
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					4
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				15
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			2
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

Background

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Background
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						8
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						1
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						6
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						31
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						11
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						36
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						29
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						24
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						37
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						34
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						38
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						13
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						39
15	Julia Grant	Grant						18
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						23
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						30
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						26
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						33
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						32
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						10
22	Helen Taft	Taft						22
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						21
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						17
25	Florence Harding	Harding						35
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						25
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						16
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						2
29	Bess Truman	Truman						28
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						20
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						4
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						7
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						27
34	Betty Ford	Ford						12
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						14
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						19
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush	—					9
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					5
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush	—	—				15
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Being their "own woman"

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Being their "own woman"
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						13
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						1
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						6
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						32
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						17
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						38
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						28
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						23
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						36
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						31
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						37
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						12
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						35
15	Julia Grant	Grant						19
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						22
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						26
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						27
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						30
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						34
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						14
22	Helen Taft	Taft						21
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						15
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						10
25	Florence Harding	Harding						29
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						25
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						16
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						2
29	Bess Truman	Truman						24
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						33
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						7
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						9
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						39
34	Betty Ford	Ford						5
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						8
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						20
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					11
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					4
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				18
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Courage

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Courage
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						8
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						2
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson						10
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						6
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						30
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						16
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						38
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						32
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						26
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						36
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						35
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						39
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						13
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						37
15	Julia Grant	Grant						15
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						27
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						22
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						31
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						33
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						28
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						14
22	Helen Taft	Taft						23
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						20
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						11
25	Florence Harding	Harding						34
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						29
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						21
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						1
29	Bess Truman	Truman						24
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						25
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						3
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						9
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						17
34	Betty Ford	Ford						5
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						8
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						18
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush	—					12
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					7
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush	—	—				19
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			4
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Integrity

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Integrity
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						8
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						1
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						7
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						28
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						15
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						32
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						37
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						23
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						36
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						30
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						34
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						33
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						35
15	Julia Grant	Grant						19
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						17
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						26
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						25
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						29
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						31
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						13
22	Helen Taft	Taft						24
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						22
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						27
25	Florence Harding	Harding						38
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						18
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						16
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						2
29	Bess Truman	Truman						12
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						14
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						10
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						6
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						20
34	Betty Ford	Ford						5
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						4
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						39
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					11
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					21
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				9
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Leadership

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Leadership
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						12
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						2
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						5
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						32
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						20
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						35
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						28
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						16
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						36
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						29
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						38
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						39
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						34
15	Julia Grant	Grant						22
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						18
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						25
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						23
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						23
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						33
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						13
22	Helen Taft	Taft						21
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						14
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						10
25	Florence Harding	Harding						31
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						24
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						17
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						1
29	Bess Truman	Truman						30
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						26
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						8
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						7
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						37
34	Betty Ford	Ford						6
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						9
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						19
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					11
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					4
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				15
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Public image

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Public image
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						6
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						5
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						4
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						33
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						25
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						36
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						29
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						19
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						37
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						31
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						38
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						39
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						35
15	Julia Grant	Grant						18
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						21
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						24
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						17
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						30
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						32
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						12
22	Helen Taft	Taft						27
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						23
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						22
25	Florence Harding	Harding						34
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						16
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						28
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						2
29	Bess Truman	Truman						20
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						13
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						1
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						8
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						26
34	Betty Ford	Ford						7
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						10
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						14
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					9
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					15
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				11
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

White House stewardship

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

White House stewardship
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						16
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						6
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						2
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						28
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						23
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						37
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						32
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						25
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						38
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						30
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						39
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						33
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						36
15	Julia Grant	Grant						19
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						17
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						31
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						27
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						29
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						35
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						7
22	Helen Taft	Taft						27
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						18
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						13
25	Florence Harding	Harding						34
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						24
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						20
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						4
29	Bess Truman	Truman						21
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						15
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						1
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						5
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						22
34	Betty Ford	Ford						12
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						8
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						11
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					10
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					14
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				9
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Value to the country

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Value to the country
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						7
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						1
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						5
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						33
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						17
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						37
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						32
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						22
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						38
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						31
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						39
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						30
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						36
15	Julia Grant	Grant						15
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						24
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						27
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						23
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						29
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						35
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						13
22	Helen Taft	Taft						26
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						20
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						12
25	Florence Harding	Harding						34
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						25
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						18
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						2
29	Bess Truman	Truman						19
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						16
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						3
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						6
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						28
34	Betty Ford	Ford						9
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						10
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						21
37	Barbara Bush	Bush, G. H.W.	—					11
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					8
39	Laura Bush	Bush, G. W.	—	—				14
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Value to the president

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Value to the president
No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	1982	1993	2003	2008	2014	2020
1	Martha Washington	Washington						5
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams						1
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson		—	—	—	—	—
3	Dolley Madison	Madison						4
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe						33
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams						21
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson		—	—	—	—	—
—	Sarah Jackson	Jackson	—	—	—	—	—	—
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren		—	—	—	—	—
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison		—	—	—	—	—
—	Jane Irwin Harrison	W. H. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler						37
—	Priscilla Tyler	Tyler	—	—	—	—	—	—
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler						30
9	Sarah Polk	Polk						20
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor						38
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore						31
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce						39
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan		—	—	—	—	—
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln						29
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson						34
15	Julia Grant	Grant						17
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes						23
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield						28
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur		—	—	—	—	—
—	Rose Cleveland	Cleveland	—	—	—	—	—	—
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland						27
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison						35
—	Mary Harrison McKee	B. Harrison	—	—	—	—	—	—
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley						32
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt						16
22	Helen Taft	Taft						24
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson						18
—	Margaret Woodrow Wilson	Wilson	—	—	—	—	—	—
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson						12
25	Florence Harding	Harding						36
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge						26
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover						22
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt						2
29	Bess Truman	Truman						15
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower						19
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy						6
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson						10
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon						25
34	Betty Ford	Ford						11
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter						7
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan						8
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush	—					13
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	—					9
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush	—	—				14
40	Michelle Obama	Obama	—	—	—			3
41	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—	—	—	—	40
42	Jill Biden	Biden	—	—	—	—	—	—

10 (with 2 median); 9 (with 1 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 2 median); 9 (with 3 median); 10

Rankings and raw scores on criteria by survey

1982

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

1982
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score
1	Martha Washington	Washington
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams
—	Martha Jefferson Randolph	Jefferson
3	Dolley Madison	Madison
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams
—	Emily Donelson	Jackson
—	Angelica Van Buren	Van Buren
6	Anna Harrison	W. H. Harrison
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler
9	Sarah Polk	Polk
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce
—	Harriet Lane	Buchanan
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson
15	Julia Grant	Grant
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield
—	Mary Arthur McElroy	Arthur
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt
22	Helen Taft	Taft
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson
25	Florence Harding	Harding
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt
29	Bess Truman	Truman
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon
34	Betty Ford	Ford
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan

1993

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

1993
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score
1	Martha Washington	Washington
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams
3	Dolley Madison	Madison
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler
9	Sarah Polk	Polk
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson
15	Julia Grant	Grant
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt
22	Helen Taft	Taft
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson
25	Florence Harding	Harding
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt
29	Bess Truman	Truman
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon
34	Betty Ford	Ford
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton

2003

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

2003
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score
1	Martha Washington	Washington
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams
3	Dolley Madison	Madison
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler
9	Sarah Polk	Polk
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson
15	Julia Grant	Grant
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt
22	Helen Taft	Taft
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson
25	Florence Harding	Harding
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt
29	Bess Truman	Truman
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon
34	Betty Ford	Ford
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush

2008

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

2008
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score
1	Martha Washington	Washington
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams
3	Dolley Madison	Madison
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler
9	Sarah Polk	Polk
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson
15	Julia Grant	Grant
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt
22	Helen Taft	Taft
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson
25	Florence Harding	Harding
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt
29	Bess Truman	Truman
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon
34	Betty Ford	Ford
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush

2014

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

2014
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score
1	Martha Washington	Washington
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams
3	Dolley Madison	Madison
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler
9	Sarah Polk	Polk
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson
15	Julia Grant	Grant
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt
22	Helen Taft	Taft
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson
25	Florence Harding	Harding
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt
29	Bess Truman	Truman
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon
34	Betty Ford	Ford
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush
40	Michelle Obama	Obama

2020

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

2020
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
No. ^[b]	First lady	Pres.	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1	Martha Washington	Washington																	6	4.03	5	4.02	10	3.59
2	Abigail Adams	J. Adams															2	4.26	5	4.03	1	4.43	2	4.18
3	Dolley Madison	Madison															6	4.00	4	4.05	4	4.08	5	3.91
4	Elizabeth Monroe	Monroe																	33	2.93	33	3.03	33	3.01
5	Louisa Adams	J. Q. Adams																	25	3.10	21	3.26	16	3.22
7	Letitia Tyler	Tyler																	36	2.88	37	2.94	37	2.91
8	Julia Tyler	Tyler																	29	3.02	30	3.05	31	3.02
9	Sarah Polk	Polk																	19	3.16	20	3.28	23	3.16
10	Margaret Taylor	Taylor																	37	2.86	38	2.92	38	2.91
11	Abigail Fillmore	Fillmore																	31	2.98	31	3.04	32	3.01
12	Jane Pierce	Pierce																	38	2.80	39	2.78	39	2.85
13	Mary Todd Lincoln	Lincoln																	39	2.60	29	3.08	29	2.05
14	Eliza Johnson	A. Johnson																	35	2.88	34	3.02	36	2.93
15	Julia Grant	Grant																	18	3.18	17	3.42	17	3.22
16	Lucy Hayes	Hayes																	21	3.15	23	3.21	22	3.17
17	Lucretia Garfield	Garfield																	24	3.10	28	3.15	27	3.09
18	Frances Cleveland	Cleveland																	17	3.19	27	3.15	26	3.11
19	Caroline Harrison	B. Harrison																	30	3.01	35	3.01	30	3.03
20	Ida McKinley	McKlinley																	32	2.95	32	3.03	34	2.98
21	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt																	12	3.40	16	3.48	13	3.39
22	Helen Taft	Taft																	27	23.08	24	3.20	24	3.14
23	Ellen Wilson	Wilson																	23	3.10	18	3.31	19	3.20
24	Edith Wilson	Wilson																	22	3.40	12	3.77	12	3.41
25	Florence Harding	Harding																	34	2.88	36	2.95	35	2.95
26	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge																	16	3.22	26	3.18	25	3.13
27	Lou Hoover	Hoover																	28	3.05	22	3.24	18	3.21
28	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt															1	4.32	2	4.24	2	4.26	1	4.22
29	Bess Truman	Truman																	20	3.16	15	3.52	20	3.18
30	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower																	13	3.37	19	3.28	21	3.17
31	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy															3	4.13	1	4.30	6	3.96	4	3.93
32	Lady Bird Johnson	L. B. Johnson																	8	3.71	10	3.80	7	3.72
33	Pat Nixon	Nixon																	26	3.09	25	3.19	28	3.05
34	Betty Ford	Ford															5	4.02	7	3.86	11	3.79	6	3.74
35	Rosalynn Carter	Carter																	10	3.66	7	3.96	3.66	9
36	Nancy Reagan	Reagan																	14	3.26	8	3.90	15	3.25
37	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush																	9	3.71	13	3.75	11	3.49
38	Hillary Clinton	Clinton																	15	3.24	9	3.83	8	3.70
39	Laura Bush	G. W. Bush																	11	3.55	14	3.64	14	3.37
40	Michelle Obama	Obama															4	4.10	3	4.21	3	4.21	3	4.11
41	Melania Trump	Trump																	40	2.41	40	2.58	40	2.31

Crosstabs of survey results for individual first ladies

Martha Washington

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Martha Washington
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982																					9
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Abigail Adams

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Abigail Adams
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Dolley Madison

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Dolley Madison
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Elizabeth Monroe

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Elizabeth Monroe
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Louisa Adams

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Louisa Adams
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Letitia Tyler

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Letitia Tyler
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Julia Tyler

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Julia Tyler
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Sarah Polk

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Sarah Polk
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Margaret Taylor

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Margaret Taylor
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Abigail Fillmore

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Abigail Fillmore
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Jane Pierce

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Jane Pierce
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Mary Todd Lincoln

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Mary Todd Lincoln
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Eliza Johnson

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Eliza Johnson
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Julia Grant

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Julia Grant
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Lucy Hayes

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Lucy Hayes
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Lucretia Garfield

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Lucretia Garfield
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Frances Cleveland

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Frances Clevlenad
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Caroline Harrison

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Caroline Harrison
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Ida McKlinley

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Ida McKinley
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Edith Roosevelt

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Edith Roosevelt
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Helen Taft

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Helen Taft
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Ellen Wilson

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Ellen Wilson
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Edith Wilson

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Edith Wilson
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Florence Harding

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Florence Harding
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Grace Coolidge

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Grace Coolidge
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Lou Hoover

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Lou Hoover
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Eleanor Roosevelt

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982																					1
1993																					1
2003																					1
2008																					1
2014																					1
2020																					1

Bess Truman

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Bess Truman
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Mamie Eisenhower

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Mamie Eisenhower
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Jacqueline Kennedy

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Jacqueline Kennedy
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Lady Bird Johnson

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Lady Bird Johnson
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Pat Nixon

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Pat Nixon
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Betty Ford

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Betty Ford
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Rosalynn Cater

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Rosalynn Carter
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Nancy Reagan

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Nancy Reagan
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1982
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Barbara Bush

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Barbara Bush
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Hillary Clinton

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Hillary Clinton
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
1993
2003
2008
2014
2020

Laura Bush

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

name
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
2003
2008
2014
2020

Michelle Obama

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

Michelle Obama
Year of study	Accompl– ishments		Back– ground		Being their "own woman"		Courage		Integrity		Leader– ship		Public image		White House steward– ship		Value to the country		Value to the president		Overall
Year of study	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Score	Rank	Mean score
2014
2020

Top rankings on other descriptors (20th and 21st century first ladies)

https://scri.siena.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Appendix_B_20th_and_21st_Century_First_Ladies.pdf

In 2014 and 2020, the studies additionally asked scholars and historians to name their top-choice among 20th and 21st century first ladies for various descriptors.

Advanced women's issues

No.	First lady	Presidency	2020
23	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt	5
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	1
40	Betty Ford	Ford	4
44	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	2
46	Michelle Obama	Obama	3

Created a lasting legacy

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	2020
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	1
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	2
34	Lady Bird Johnson	L. Johnson	5
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	4
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	3

Could have done more while in office

Could imagine them serving as president

This ranking assessing which first ladies scholars and historians could imagine having served as a president themselves.

The only first lady to have ever themselves sought election to the presidency was Hillary Clinton, who has been ranked first both times that this question has been survveyed.

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	2020
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	3
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	4
34	Lady Bird Johnson	Johnson	5
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	1
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	2

Effectively managed family life while in office

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	2014	2020
23	Edith Roosevelt	T. Roosevelt	3	2
24	Helen Taft	Taft	—	—
25	Ellen Wilson	Wilson	—	—
26	Edith Wilson	Wilson	—	—
27	Florence Harding	Harding	15**	—
28	Grace Coolidge	Coolidge	12**	—
29	Lou Hoover	Hoover	—	—
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	9**	—
31	Bess Truman	Truman	6**	—
32	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower	12**	—
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	2	3
34	Lady Bird Johnson	L. Johnson	9**	—
35	Pat Nixon	Nixon	12**	—
36	Betty Ford	Ford	11	—
37	Rosalynn Carter	Carter	5	5
38	Nancy Reagan	Reagan	15**	—
39	Barbara Bush	G.H.W. Bush	6**	—
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	6**	—
41	Laura Bush	G.W. Bush	4	4
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	1	1
43	Melania Trump	Trump	—	—
44	Michelle Obama	Trump	—	—

Greatest political asset

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	2020
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	1
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	4
38	Nancy Reagan	Reagan	5
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	3
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	2

Performed the greatest service to the country after leaving office

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	2020
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	2
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	3
36	Betty Ford	Ford	4
37	Rosalynn Carter	Carter	5
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	5

Strongest public communicator

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	2020
30	Eleanor Roosevelt	F. Roosevelt	1
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy	4
34	Lady Bird Johnson	Johnson	5
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	3
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	2

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency
31	Bess Truman	Truman
32	Mamie Eisenhower	Eisenhower
33	Jacqueline Kennedy	Kennedy
34	Lady Bird Johnson	L. Johnson
35	Pat Nixon	Nixon
36	Betty Ford	Ford
37	Rosalynn Carter	Carter
38	Nancy Reagan	Reagan
39	Barbara Bush	G.H.W. Bush
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton
41	Laura Bush	G.W. Bush
42	Michelle Obama	Obama
43	Melania Trump	Trump

Ranking of initiatives of 20th and 21st century first ladies

The 2020 survey was the first to ask for rankings on the signature initiatives of first ladies, asking this question about the initiatives of ten most-recent first ladies at the time, noting that, "since the 1960’s every First Lady has focused part of her tenure on raising awareness of and promoting efforts to address a pressing social problem."

Within each column: Blue backgrounds indicate rankings in the first quartile.; Green backgrounds indicate rankings in the second quartile.; Yellow-green backgrounds indicate the median ranking of an odd number of first ladies.^[a]^{[excessive detail?]}; Yellow backgrounds indicate rankings in the third quartile.; Orange backgrounds indicate rankings in the fourth quartile.

Click the "sort" icon at the head of each column to view the rankings for each survey in numerical order.

No. ^[b]	First lady	Presidency	Initiative	2020
34	Lady Bird Johnson	L. Johnson	Environmental protection and beautification	1
35	Pat Nixon	Nixon	Volunteerism	7
36	Betty Ford	Ford	Women's rights	3
37	Rosalynn Carter	Carter	Mental health	6
38	Nancy Reagan	Reagan	Drug abuse awareness ("Just Say No")	9
39	Barbara Bush	G. H.W. Bush	Childhood literacy	4
40	Hillary Clinton	Clinton	Healthcare reform	8
41	Laura Bush	G.W. Bush	Childhood literacy ("Ready to Read, Ready to Learn")	5
42	Michelle Obama	Obama	Reducing childhood obesity ("Let's Move!")	2
43	Melania Trump	Trump	Cyberbullying awareness ("Be Best")	10

Ranking of first couples as "power couples"

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be Quartiles were determined by splitting the data into an upper and lower half and then splitting these halves each into two quartiles. When splitting an odd total number of rankings, the median is given an intermediate color.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y Some white house hostesses (de facto first ladies) included in the 1982 study have been omitted from subsequent studies. Additionally, Anna Harrison (who delegated the duties of White House hostess to Jane Irwin Harrison during her husband's brief 31 day presidency) has been excluded from surveys subsequent to 1982.

Sources cited

Sources used for rankings and scores of weighed criteria:
- 1982: https://scri.siena.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/82-Ranking.pdf
- 1993:
- 2003:
- 2008:
- 2014:
- 2020:
Sources used for top rankings of other descriptors:
- 2014:^[2]
- 2020:^[3]
Source for ranking of initiatives of 20th and 21st century first ladies:^[4]
Source for rankings of first couples as "power couples":^[5]

Reference list

^ Capobianco, James. "Research Guides: American Presidency: First Ladies". Harvard Kennedy School. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
^ source
^ source
^ source
^ source

Summary table of overall rankings

Rankings on weighed criteria

Accomplishments

Background

Being their "own woman"

Courage

Integrity

Leadership

Public image

White House stewardship

Value to the country

Value to the president

Rankings and raw scores on criteria by survey

1982

1993

2003

2008

2014

2020

Crosstabs of survey results for individual first ladies

Martha Washington

Abigail Adams

Dolley Madison

Elizabeth Monroe

Louisa Adams

Letitia Tyler

Julia Tyler

Sarah Polk

Margaret Taylor

Abigail Fillmore

Jane Pierce

Mary Todd Lincoln

Eliza Johnson

Julia Grant

Lucy Hayes

Lucretia Garfield

Frances Cleveland

Caroline Harrison

Ida McKlinley

Edith Roosevelt

Helen Taft

Ellen Wilson

Edith Wilson

Florence Harding

Grace Coolidge

Lou Hoover

Eleanor Roosevelt

Bess Truman

Mamie Eisenhower

Jacqueline Kennedy

Lady Bird Johnson

Pat Nixon

Betty Ford

Rosalynn Cater

Nancy Reagan

Barbara Bush

Hillary Clinton

Laura Bush

Michelle Obama

Top rankings on other descriptors (20th and 21st century first ladies)

Advanced women's issues

Created a lasting legacy

Could have done more while in office

Could imagine them serving as president

Effectively managed family life while in office

Greatest political asset

Performed the greatest service to the country after leaving office

Strongest public communicator

Ranking of initiatives of 20th and 21st century first ladies

Ranking of first couples as "power couples"

Notes

Sources cited

Reference list

See also