Remembering Nancy Reagan
Mar 9, 2016 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
Nancy’s White House portrait
In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate a force of nature: former First Lady, Nancy Reagan. We have shared the stories of many incredible women here from Sandwina to Dovima, but Nancy is our first political story to discuss. On Sunday we lost this beloved icon, but her legend lives on. Join us in remembering Nancy Reagan. A woman known for her keen fashion sense, elegance, and support of American fashion designers – her influence extended beyond the stylish streets of DC, flowing into diplomacy and public policy.
Born in the hustle and bustle of New York City, Nancy (whose real name was Anne Frances Robbins) arrived on the scene during the Flapper age. Given what we know about the strong, independent lady she grew up to be, it’s not surprising she was brought into this world in an era of energy and enthusiasm. Her father gave her the nickname Nancy, but soon after left the family. Nancy was just an infant; her mom (an aspiring actress) placed her into the care of a nearby aunt and uncle.
“I always liked red. It’s a picker-upper. I didn’t give it the name of Reagan Red, but that became its name.” – Nancy Reagan in W, 2007
Nancy’s early childhood was spent in Maryland on the weekdays and the big apple on the weekends to attend the theater. By her eighth birthday, her mom had remarried and life changed dramatically. Nancy was adopted by her affluent stepfather, ushering in a period of stability at home. After high school Nancy went on to graduate from prestigious Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Free to explore the world, Nancy traveled to Chicago. Here she worked a variety of jobs as she pursued one of her early passions – acting. By the late 1940s she found success in Hollywood, inking a seven year deal with MGM. But soon this free spirit would face an administrative mix up, leading her to the love of her life – and her destiny.
A case of mistaken identity doesn’t exactly fit the premise of meet cute, but it’s the setting for Nancy’s real life romance. Shortly after her move to sunny California, Nancy discovered roles were vanishing. (Keep in mind this is the era of strong anti-Communist feelings.) Fear was in the air and unfortunately the stage name she selected was being used by another actress. Frustrated, Nancy finally reached out to the president of the Screen Actors Guild, desperate for some assistance. He seemed eager to help and the two had an in-person meeting. This is the first time Ronald Reagan and Nancy set eyes on each other. You may say “the rest is history,” but not quite. Although they felt a spark, Ronald was cautious (having just experienced a difficult divorce). But the fire never fizzled, three years later Ronald proposed and their journey began…
“Without Nancy, there would have been no Governor Reagan, no President Reagan.” – Michael K. Deaver, Reagan aide
The love birds in 1964
Fifteen years into their marriage, Ronald was sworn in as Governor of California. His rise from actor to public leader was not a smooth one and Nancy quickly established herself as the guiding force behind his campaign. In fact, many historians and political experts credit her savvy and fierce determination as one of the key reasons for his political success. Behind every great man is a great woman. Nancy was truly great, but she didn’t stand in the shadows. This was no shrinking violet – here was a lioness in Oscar de la Renta.
Following two successful terms as a state leader, Reagan set his sights on a larger prize – the presidency. The first attempt in 1976 did not end favorably. Nancy ensured that the second time around would hit its mark. Who fired out-of-touch consultants? Nancy. Who hired a new team to help re-energize the campaign in 1980? Nancy. Who held Ronald accountable when scandal threatened to overshadow his work? Nancy. Who wasn’t afraid to “be the bad guy” so Ronald could get traction on policies? Was a constant supporter, champion for, and guiding light to, the most powerful man in the free world? You get the idea. Yes, Olivia Pope could learn a lesson or two here! Nancy navigated the trickiest political waters with ease – charming in the right moments and disarming when the occasion warranted.
Discussing drug addiction in 1987
But she wasn’t singular in her focus – Nancy had her own passion projects which she fervently supported. Who can forget her “Just Say No” campaign? Her fight against teenage drug and alcohol abuse was grounded by the core belief that every person – every child – has unlimited promise. Everyone can have a bright future; we cannot let addiction stand in the way of the pursuit of those dreams. One of her quotes sums this up best and I’ve included it below. Please take a moment to ponder the beauty of her statement. This project was not just a catch phrase for Nancy and it serves a prime example of her level of devotion for causes that were close to her heart.
In 1987 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Nancy underwent a mastectomy of her left breast and the moment her recovery was complete, she was discussing her ordeal openly – encouraging millions of women to take control and get annual mammograms. When Ronald was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1994, Nancy helped him pen a letter to the American people. Nancy openly discussed the struggles and joys of care-giving, establishing herself as an influential advocate for stem-cell research and medical advancements.
There’s a big, wonderful world out there for you. It belongs to you. It’s exciting and stimulating and rewarding. Don’t cheat yourselves out of this promise. – Nancy Reagan
Whatever your political leaning, when you consider Nancy’s life you can’t ignore the major themes: perseverance, devotion, optimism, and a healthy dose of grit. All of these qualities are not only critical for a ground-breaking First Lady, but inspiring to all of us ladies out there. We may not be married to a President, we may not have had to battle breast cancer first hand, or provided care to an ailing loved one – but Nancy’s strength serves as a lesson to any woman facing a challenge. That may be deciding on a new career, healing after a traumatic experience, or dealing with an unsupportive family member. Whatever the obstacle – let’s all pledge to dust off our version of an Oscar de la Renta and let the inner lioness roar.
For our readers: Of all the female political figures past and present, who do you most identify with and why? If you could pick three First Ladies to have brunch with, who would they be?