Since the days of Dolly Madison, the job of presidential spouse has often involved picking a signature issue
Louisa Adams, 1825-1829
The wife of sixth president John Quincy Adams was one of the first First Ladies to take up the cause of women's rights. Although she remained reserved on policy issues during her time in the White House (as did many early first ladies), she later helped funnel petitions on the issue to her husband during his lengthy, post-Presidential career in Congress.Bettmann / Corbis
Lucy Hayes, 1877-1881
Known as "Lemonade Lucy," the wife of nineteenth president Rutherford B. Hayes presided over a White House where alcohol was controversially prohibited at State dinners and receptions. As sober as her notoriously dry husband, Hayes soon became the poster woman for the female-led temperance movement. Although her stand made some (especially foreign ministers) view her as an overly-moralistic teetotaler, others, such as poet Margaret E. Winslow, celebrated her "righteous cause."Corbis
Ellen Wilson, 1913-1914
After visiting the squalid streets where many of Washington D.C.'s poor black and immigrant denizens lived, Woodrow Wilson's first wife took up the need for better urban housing. In early 1914, "Ellen Wilson's bill" — the first legislation to be so publicly spurred on by a first lady — was introduced. Although Congress initially squabbled over who would pay, lawmakers quickly passed the bill after hearing of Ellen's rapidly declining health. She lived just long enough to get the news before succumbing to kidney disease that August.Corbis
Lady Bird Johnson, 1963-1969
As testament to her environmental ardor, a grove of skyscraper-esque trees in Redwood National Park bears the name of Lady Bird Johnson. During her husband's time in office, she fully embraced nature, whether that meant planting thousands of tulips in Washington or sponsoring the Highway Beautification Act. At one point, the Secretary of the Interior noted that, "Mrs. Johnson has been a 'shadow' Secretary of the Interior for much of her life."Bettmann / Corbis
Rosalynn Carter, 1977-1981
Carter made a campaign promise to get her husband Jimmy to establish a council on mental health. Once in the White House, she made good on that pact. Although she only had an honorary role with the council, she used her position to speak widely on mental illness. Carter also helped push through legislation that would have improved mental health facilities had funding for the project not been scuttled when Ronald Reagan took office only weeks later.Corbis
Nancy Reagan, 1981-1989
1981 was not Nancy Reagan's best year. She spent much of her husband's first months in office being dismissed and mocked as "Fancy Nancy," little more than an extravagant party-goer. Partly to negate this perception, she embarked on a campaign against drugs: "Just Say No." During the following years, the slogan inspired thousands to start "Just Say No" clubs and millions to participate in "Just Say No" marches. Her popularity saw a boost, and student drug and alcohol addiction — though by no means eradicated — decreased from one-third to one-fourth in the mid-80s.Wally McNamee / Corbis
Laura Bush, 2001-2009
Soon after taking up in the White House, former librarian Laura Bush launched "Ready to Read, Ready to Learn" in an effort to prime young children for the world of literature. Laura followed in the footsteps of mother-in-law Barbara Bush, who helped pass the National Literacy Act in 1991. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy was christened in 1989 and has since helped fund more than 750 reading programs.AFP / Getty
Michelle Obama, 2009-Present
On Tuesday, Michelle Obama announced she would work to fight childhood obesity. An oft-quoted statistic holds that almost one-third of American children are now overweight or obese. Her "Let's Move" plan (bolstered by an executive memo from her husband) centers on parent awareness, making healthier foods more available and creating fitness programs that get kids moving. Setting a personal example has been integral to her approachto this behavior-based problem. Hence her White House garden, which she hopes will serve as a model for communities and families alike.Alex Brandon / AP
